Landscape perception based on personal attributes in determining the scenic beauty of in-stand natural secondary forests

摘要

The aim of this paper was to validate factors affecting the in-stand?landscape quality and how important each factor was in determining scenic?beauty of natural secondary forests. The study was limited to 23 stand-level?cases of natural secondary forests in Shen Zhen city in southern China. Typical?samples of photographs and public estimations were applied to evaluate?scenic beauty inside the natural secondary forests. The major factors were?then selected by multiple linear-regression analysis and a model between?scenic beauty estimation (SBE) values and in-stand landscape features was?established. Rise in crown density, fall in plant litter, glow in color of trunk,?fall in arbor richness, and rise in visible distance increased scenic beauty values?of in-stand landscape. These five factors significantly explained the differences?in scenic beauty, and together accounted for 45% of total variance in?SBEs. Personal factors (e.g. gender, age and education) did not significantly?affect the ratings of landscape photos, although variations of landscape?quality were affected by some personal factors. Results of this study will assist?policymakers, silviculturists and planners in landscape design and management?of natural secondary forests in Shenzhen city. People can improve?the scenic beauty values by pruning branches and clearing plant litter, which?subsequently improve the forest health and contribute to forest recreation.