Visual storytelling of landscape change on Rathlin Island, UK

Ying Zheng*, Rebecca Jane McConnell, Zehan Zhou, Tom Jefferies, Greg Keeffe, Sean Cullen, Emma Campbell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

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Abstract

Islands represent distinctive geographical landscapes where cultural heritage, history, and ecological systems converge, offering critical insights into human–environment interactions. This study investigates how visual storytelling through digital tools such as the Historical Environment Map Viewer, Environment Digimap, Google Maps and Google Street View, and ArcGIS Field Maps can be employed to capture, interpret, and communicate islands’ landscape changes. By integrating historical environmental mapping, landscape change mapping, street map views, and field observations, this study creates a layered visual narrative that reveals shifts in land use, settlement patterns, and ecological features over time. Rathlin Island represents a distinctive island landscape, and this study uses visual storytelling as a tool to foster a broader public understanding of environmental conservation and engagement with the island’s ecologial challenges. The study demonstrates that multi-perspective, interdisciplinary methods provide valuable insights into the complex dynamics of landscape change, while also offering a comprehensive vision of sustainable future landscape on small islands.
Original languageEnglish
Article number1304
Number of pages23
JournalLand
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Jun 2025

Keywords

  • islands
  • geographical landscapes
  • Rathlin Island

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