Integrating Spatially Explicit Representations of Landscape Perceptions into Land Change Research

Abstract

Purpose of Review Human perceptions of the landscape can influence land-use and land-management decisions. Recognizing the diversity of landscape perceptions across space and time is essential to understanding land change processes and emergent landscape patterns. We summarize the role of landscape perceptions in the land change process, demonstrate advances in quantifying and mapping landscape perceptions, and describe how these spatially explicit techniques have and may benefit land change research. Recent Findings Mapping landscape perceptions is becoming increasingly common, particularly in research focused on quantifying ecosystem services provision. Spatial representations of landscape perceptions, often measured in terms of landscape values and functions, provide an avenue for matching social and environmental data in land change studies. Integrating these data can provide new insights into land change processes, contribute to landscape planning strategies, and guide the design and implementation of land change models. Summary Challenges remain in creating spatial representations of human perceptions. Maps must be accompanied by descriptions of whose perceptions are being represented and the validity and uncertainty of those representations across space. With these considerations, rapid advancements in mapping landscape perceptions hold great promise for improving representation of human dimensions in landscape ecology and land change research.

Quantifying the visual-sensory landscape qualities that contribute to cultural ecosystem services using social media and LiDAR

“…This is rarely achievable with traditional data collection techniques. A continuing challenge will be to maintain and gain access to social media data (i.e., Panoramio is no longer active and been integrated into Google Maps Views, which has prevented mining the data) and ‘keep up’ with popular social media sites that represent the public broadly ( Dorning et al, 2017 ). Such a data source will be highly valuable for bringing a uniquely rich qualitative understanding of CES.…”

“…Highly valued landscapes often include cultural features (e.g., historical monuments) and potential activities (e.g., local foods, kayak rentals) that synergistically enhance and contribute to their uniqueness as special locations ( Hausmann et al, 2016 ). Planning, environmental management, and tourism fields have long recognized the effects of values and perceptions on the way landscapes are used ( Dorning et al, 2017 ). These perceptive lenses shape how different individuals use and appreciate the numerous non-material benefits of nature (e.g., for an overview of CES see Plieninger et al (2013 ), Chan et al (2012) ).…”

Place Attachment and Its Consequence for Landscape-Scale Management and Readiness to Participate: Social Network Complexity in the Post-Soviet Rural Context of Latvia and Estonia

“…Kyle et al [15] proposed that planners move beyond the modernist idea that landscapes are a collection of attributes to be manipulated to one that was sensitive to inhabitants' relationship to place. Likewise, Dorning et al [16] argued there is a need to integrate human perceptions and decision-making processes regarding landscapes, to better understand land change processes in order to support landscape planning. Various conventions and policies, such as the Aarhus Convention and the European Landscape Convention, aimed to close the distance between decision-makers and inhabitants who live and work within the landscape by developing new policies encouraging stakeholder participation within a flexible framework [17][18][19].…”

“…Participatory processes require an understanding of the narratives people build. These narratives influence how people perceive their landscape, how they believe it should be managed and their willingness to engage in planning processes [14,16]. Policies, therefore, need to incorporate residents' stories, emotional bonds formed by traditions, sensory experiences and memories to set the place attachment in context, so that inhabitants feel listened to [29][30][31][32].…”

Kartografik analiz ve rehberli gezi yöntemleriyle peyzaj değişiminin tespiti: İzmir Selçuk Örneği

“…Karmaşık bir öğrenme sürecinin ürünü olan algı, çevrenin gözlemlenmesinden çıkan sonuçların hızlı ve etkileşimli analizini bugünkü bilgi ve geçmiş deneyimlerle birleştirerek ortaya koyar (Antrop, 2000). Bu tür bilgiler insanların günlük yaşamlarının geçtiği yaşam alanlarına odaklanarak, bu alanların değişiminin tanımlanmasında bir araç olarak (Dorning, Berkel, & Semmens, 2017), özellikle toplum ile doğa arasındaki karmaşık ilişkilerin çözümlenmesinde etkili rol oynar (González-Puente vd., 2014). Bu bakımdan değişimi kendi yaşam deneyimleri ile harmanlayan ve belleklerinde çok net bir biçimde ortaya koyan insanın bilgisinin konu içindeki önemi yadsınamaz.…”