The paper deals with land use changes occurred in the East Carpathians Biosphere Reserve between 1949, 1987 and 2003. This area was characteristic with a significant change in landscape organisation caused by a drinking water reservoir construction what led to an emigration of local inhabitants (7 villages) and following abandonment of the western part. Using aerial photographs land use changes and their intensity were assessed. Georelief (altitude, inclination and aspect) and distance from the settlements as main natural and socio-economical driving factors affecting the land use of the areas were evaluated using affinity and relative frequency calculus. The study resulted into an identification of land use development break point leading to the recent overgrowing trends.