Global environmental problems, which are related to urbanization and the intensification of the use of land and water resources are comprehensively outlined. Land abandonment which occurs on all continents is qualitatively and quantitatively assessed and the consequences for natural and cultural heritage loss is highlighted. With the presentation of current rural development and landscape conservation strategies on the national as well as international level, the topic reflects the high significance of environmental policy on the global scale. The global implementation of natural and cultural heritage conservation is, for example, given by the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, National Parks, Biosphere Reserves, Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites, High Nature Value Farmland, and the Satoyama initiative. However, also the "every-day" landscapes can contribute to biodiversity and strong sustainability.

Foreword.- Part I: Introduction - Traditional cultural landscapes in the world.- Part II: A sustainable balance between intensively and extensively used landscapes.- Part III: Traditional cultural landscapes on the world's agenda.- Part IV: Restoration and revitalization of traditional cultural landscapes towards multifunctionality.- Part V: Case studies - Restoration of traditional cultural landscapes put into practice.- Part VI: Conclusions Take-home messages based on the book are shortly summarized.