Skyggeafmærkning

Skyggeafmærkning, often translated as shadow marking or shadow cadastration, is a method used in surveying and land administration, particularly in some Scandinavian countries. It refers to the process of creating or updating cadastral maps or property boundaries by referencing existing, well-established landmarks or features within the landscape. The term "skygge" (shadow) implies that the new markings are indirectly defined by or "in the shadow of" these existing, more permanent markers, rather than being directly measured from a central point or a new trigonometric station.

This technique is often employed when precise geodetic control points are scarce or when it is impractical or uneconomical to establish new ones. Instead, surveyors would utilize features like old stone walls, prominent trees, or existing boundary stones as reference points. The new property lines would then be delineated in relation to these established features, effectively using them as a form of shadow control.

The advantage of skyggeafmærkning lies in its relative simplicity and cost-effectiveness in certain contexts, particularly for defining boundaries in rural or historical areas where traditional surveying methods might be challenging. However, it can also introduce a degree of inherited positional uncertainty, as the accuracy of the skyggeafmærkning is dependent on the accuracy and stability of the original "shadow" markers. Over time, if these original markers are lost or degraded, the integrity of the skyggeafmærkning can be compromised, potentially leading to disputes. Modern surveying techniques, such as GPS and total stations, have largely supplanted traditional skyggeafmærkning in many areas due to their superior accuracy and direct georeferencing capabilities.