Visual value of rangeland landscapes: A study based on structural equation modeling

Abstract

Understanding the visual value of landscapes is a key issue for environmental decision makers and planners because it is directly related to people's perceptions. In this study, the relationships of seven aesthetic criteria (vegetation composition, complexity, existential factor, coherence, stewardship, physiographic, and environmental factors) and 19 scenic aesthetic indicators with visual value of different rangeland landscapes were assessed. The visual value of different rangeland landscapes was assessed based on stakeholders and managers perceptions using photos and questionnaires. The results showed that existential factor, vegetation composition, and complexity were the most important factors for visual value assessment respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that all criteria had significant direct impacts on visual value except for stewardship (p<0.05). Naturalness, presence of trees and plant diversity were the most important scenic indicators which make landscapes visually more valuable through texture harmony, water management, being mountainous and presence of water. The mountainous shrub-tree landscapes were the most important wild landscapes in terms of visual value. There was no significant difference between wild and managed landscapes. The burned rangelands had the least visual value due to mismanagement. Human activities under modern disturbances had diminished the visual value of rangelands more than activities under traditional disturbances and they had the most negative impact on visual value of rangeland landscapes.