Identifying relationships between landscape values, spatial perceptions of risk, and physical assets

Abstract

Effective adaptation to climate risks requires identifying and realizing community beliefs about which locations require management attention. Environmental planners and asset managers, especially those in rural and regional areas, often struggle to engage with community sentiments about place or to incorporate those feelings into decision-making processes. This study measures the associations between spatial perceptions of climate change risks and spatially assigned landscape values to support adaptation prioritization. Using public participation geographic information systems data collected via an online survey in Southern Tasmania, we identify factors influencing mapping behavior, finding correlations between values, risks, and physical assets. Results from linear regression and spatial-cross correlation indicate that spatial perceptions of risk are strongly associated with landscape values. Additionally, mapped values and risks demonstrate novel associations with select on-ground assets (e.g., towns and protected areas). The highest-ranked perceived risks were Bushfire, Sea-level rise, and Biodiversity loss/change. Considering associations between landscape values and risks, Recreation and Wilderness values associated with Bushfire and variable relationships with Sea-level rise (strong for Recreation and weak for Wilderness). Intercorrelations between social-psychological influencing factors, values, and risks returned inconclusive results warranting further research. The approach described in this research has the potential to inform climate adaptation planning by categorizing key locations that require management action, potential areas likely leading to community resistance, and the underlying sentiments that inform landscape values and spatial perceptions of risk more broadly.