Landscape Aesthetics Research Articles

Scene clusters, causes, spatial patterns and strategies in the cultural landscape heritage of Tang Poetry Road in Eastern Zhejiang based on text mining

The burgeoning field of digital humanities has provided important modern technological means for text mining in literary works. Chinese classical poetry, as a treasure in the world’s artistic treasury, holds significant value in recognizing the heritage of world culture. In this study, taking the 1589 Tang poems from the Tang Poetry Road in Eastern Zhejiang as an example, we constructed a research framework that explores the aesthetics of classical Chinese poetry landscapes and spatial imagery at the urban agglomeration scale by utilizing geographic and analytical tools such as Python programming, Gephi co-occurrence semantic networks, and GIS kernel density analysis. The framework exhibits three key innovations: (1) a text processing approach that treats individual characters as semantic units in ancient poetry texts, (2) a combined approach of Python programming techniques and Gephi visualization tool for social network analysis, and (3) a study focusing on the integration of textual and spatial aspects of literary landscape heritage corridors at the urban cluster scale. The constructed framework greatly enhances the efficiency and accuracy of Tang poetry text mining, it enables the extraction of natural and cultural landscape spatial imagery along the Tang Poetry Road, the construction of scene depictions, the identification of key regions within the scenes, and the derivation of location-specific strategies. This study broadens the scope of exploring the cultural heritage value of Tang poetry literature and provides practical guidance for the development of cross-regional heritage corridors.

The effect of compost on the growth of forest plants in the gold mine tailings of PT. Kasongan Bumi Kencana, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

Mining activities is consequence of development which will result in ex-mining land, causes of environmental changes include chemical, physical and biological. Physically, the land is damaged, the top soil layer become sand, gravel and granite. Chemically, land not longer provide nutrients for plant growth. Biologically, the less of microorganisms especially decomposers. Revegetation is an effort to improve mine land to increase biodiversity, restore landscape aesthetics, control erosion and runoff. The aims of this study to determine the potential growth of Shorea balangeran, Combertocarpus rotundatus, Melaleuca cajuputi and Alstonia scholaris by applying compost to a gold mine’s Tailing Storage Facility (TSF); 7 year (Mirah 1) and 1 year (Mirah 2). The results of the study on TSF Mirah 1, the percentage of growth M. cajuputi and A. Scholaris was 100%, the highest average height and diameter was M. Cajuputi (MeanH+SD-H) 166.70 + 32.16 cm and (MeanD+SD-D) 1.35 + 0.62 cm. The TSF Mirah 2, the percentage of growth S. balangeran and A. Scholaris was 100%, the highest average height was M. cajuputi (MeanH+SD) 137.30 + 23.43 cm and the highest average diameter was A. scholaris (MeanD+SD-D) 1.23 + 0.38 cm.

Aesthetic landscape design in forest parks on the rehabilitation of patients with mood disorders

BackgroundMood disorders are mental illnesses characterized by mood or emotional changes. It mainly manifested as emotional highs or lows, as well as behavioral changes. Currently, medication and psychological therapy are the main methods. However, the current treatment methods have become increasingly ineffective in the long term. Therefore, research has applied the aesthetic landscape design in forest parks to the rehabilitation of patients with mood disorders, in order to alleviate their psychological problems.Subjects and MethodsThe subjects and methods of the study were 100 patients with mood disorders who were treated in a certain hospital from 2021 to 2022. They were divided into an observation group (A) and a control group (B) based on their admission time. The observation group used aesthetic landscape design from forest parks for treatment, while the control group used traditional treatment methods. After the experiment, SPSS20.0 software was used for data analysis.ResultsBefore intervention, the self-efficacy score of Group A was 23.81 ± 3.10 points, while that of Group B was 23.95 ± 3.17 points; After intervention, the score of Group A reached 31.74 ± 3.91 points, and after intervention, it was 28.12 ± 3.55 points. From the sleep status, the score of Group A after intervention was 24.39 ± 3.17 points, which was higher than Group B’s 22.04 ± 2.86 points.ConclusionsThe aesthetic landscape design methods in forest parks are effective for the rehabilitation of patients with mood disorders.AcknowledgementEducational Research Project of Fujian Education Department, China (No. JA13222). Science and Technology Project of Fujian Water Resources Department, China (No. MSK201917).

Green industry experts’ consensus about wildlife-friendly landscape maintenance: Delphi-informed implications for agricultural and extension educators

This study was designed to understand the current state of wildlife-friendly landscape maintenance practices and the associated barriers and motivations among Florida green industry professionals. A Delphi technique to achieve consensus, along with descriptive survey questions, was used to facilitate feedback from Florida-based green industry professionals and Extension professionals. The expert panel identified 55 wildlife-friendly landscape activities, 25 barrier items, and 25 motivator items. Descriptive findings showed that green industry professionals believe, on average, Florida residents request wildlife-friendly maintenance services less frequently than wildlife-friendly landscape services are offered by Florida green industry professionals. Consensus findings demonstrated the barriers with the greatest agreement were a lack of public awareness about wildlife-friendly landscaping, its ecological and environmental benefits, professional focus on profit, homeowner association (HOA) regulations, and demand for formal landscape aesthetics. Consensus findings also revealed Florida green industry’s major motivators were clients’ demand for native, Florida-Friendly plants and wildlife-supporting landscapes, the desire to promote the company as wildlife-friendly, and public interest in native and Florida-Friendly Landscaping. Extension professionals, along with policymakers, educators, and program planners should reduce the identified barriers and expand on the motivators to encourage green industry professionals to engage in landscape maintenance activities that support wildlife.

Exploring community perceptions and engagement of nature-based solutions: The case of Ningbo, a Chinese coastal sponge city

Sustainable stormwater management facilities such as strip bioretention, effectively improve the urban landscape's urban stormwater quality and aesthetics. The progress of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) and Blue-Green Developments such as the Sponge City Program (SCP) in Chinese cities, is significantly delivering multiple benefits to address urban water, climate and ecosystem services. These practices are transforming the urban environmental context and enhancing the wider aspects of social-environmental interactions and participation. This study will particularly focus on investigating the SCP practices implemented for several years in Ningbo, a selected Sponge pilot city on the east coast of China. There is currently a lack of substantial findings from the perspective of communities towards NBS in China or an understanding of the importance of participation and engagement processes in Sponge or NBS infrastructure in Chinese cities. Through an in-depth semi-structured interview (n = 34), this study will elucidate the previous developments, current challenges and future delivery of constructed NBS infrastructure (e.g. artificial wetland). This article will undertake a detailed investigation of public perceptions, channels of learning, and opportunities for further participation and engagement in the case of Ningbo. In this study, we found that the perception and participation are likely to improve significantly in the future and that public education about SCP practices would foster closer human-nature stormwater connections and co-production to deliver better NBS practices.

Functional regionalization of land resources considering eco-efficiency in Nanjing Metropolitan Area, China

The rapid urbanization in the region has caused a shift in land-use structure and, as a result, the degrading of ecosystems. Elucidating the spatial–temporal evolution of ecosystem services (ESs) and ecological function zoning, it was beneficial to develop land use optimization strategy structures for different regions to support regional sustainable development. Taking the Nanjing Metropolitan Area (NMA), China, as a research area, we investigated the spatial–temporal evolution of land use and ESs in 2000, 2005, 2010, 2015, and 2020 by using biophysical models, quantified the trade-offs/ synergies and constraint effects among ESs using Spearman coefficients and constraint lines, and subsequently realized ecological function zoning through the Self-Organizing Feature Map (SOM) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) models on this basis. The results indicated that: (1) constructed land was the greatest area expansion type (an increase of 2,864.46 km2), while cropland was the primary source of its increase (89.69% of the total transfer of constructed land); (2) Habitat Quality (HQ), Landscape Aesthetics (LA), Net Primary Production (NPP), Soil Retention (SR), Nitrogen Retention (NR), and Water Yield (WY) showed a general spatial pattern of “high in the southern mountains and low in the northern plains”, whereas Crop Production (CP) was more susceptible to create trade-offs with other ESs and has four types of constraint effects; (3) to ensure the maximal spatial variation in geography condition, we combined the SOM-SVM to divide the NMA area into 6 ecosystem service zones and advised land development and utilization by zoning characteristics. In addition, we compared the outcomes of zoning before and after SVM optimization to demonstrate the suitability of combining the SOM-SVM approach in zoning. Our research can provide a reference for the sustainable management of regional land resources and landscape planning.

Balancing participatory planning and planning for resilience in nature-based solutions. A case of transformative agency?

ABSTRACT Participatory planning and planning for resilience figure as major trends in striving towards urban sustainability. Yet, recent studies problematize citizen participation in planning for resilience, indicating the need for closer research on surrounding processes and the limits planners face in leading participants to sustainable outcomes. Providing a basis for cross-case learning, the paper examines five urban planning projects in Northern Europe that attempted to involve stakeholders in enhancing urban resilience via nature-based solutions. Considering structural factors that limit planners’ agency in the Nordic and (post-socialist) Baltic context, the results convey tensions between inclusivity and resilience as common challenges across cases that manifest in conflicts over landscape aesthetics, neoliberal contestations of space, and diverting priority setting of stakeholders. The paper argues that these challenges triggered creative strategies which unleashed potentials for transformative planning agency including attempts to gain legitimacy and stakeholder support, build environmental awareness and knowledge among stakeholder groups, and facilitate conflict resolution in stakeholder interactions.

Influence of Urban Tree Traits on Their Ecosystem Services: A Literature Review

Trees in cities are vital to the health of the urban ecosystem and residents’ wellbeing. Besides providing habitats, trees provide food via fruits and young leaves, reduce temperature, and enrich landscape aesthetics with spring flowers and autumn foliage. The generation and supply of these ecosystem services are closely related to their traits, such as the size of the canopy and the sparseness of the leaves, which directly affect their ability to shade and cool. Studies focusing on ecosystem services often consider green space as a whole, and some distinguish the difference between trees and grass. Relatively fewer studies examined the influence of tree traits on the supply of ecosystem services. Understanding the association among species, traits, and ecosystem services would be helpful in generating actionable knowledge for urban tree planting. However, these studies are often scattered under different research topics. To this end, we reviewed and summarized studies on the relationship between urban tree species/traits and ecosystem services according to provision, regulation, and cultural service types. Based on 45 publications, we found that leaf area, crown size, diameter at breast height, tree height, and leaf shape may influence various ecosystem services. We presented a preliminary framework of “trait- service” and argued that with the help of such a framework, future research should generate actionable knowledge for practitioners to identify potential tree species for selection according to desired services.

Response of soil organic carbon to forested wetlands in East China

Afforestation has been suggested as an ecosystem restoration approach for mitigating carbon loss after land-use changes. Understanding soil organic carbon (SOC) by conversion from abandoned aquaculture ponds to afforestation is crucial. We investigated soil organic carbon from a poplar (Populus spp., 19 years after planting, PS) plantation site with ditches and a pond cypress (Taxodium spp., 4 years after planting, TS) forest with non-ditches on abandoned aquaculture ponds in East China. Soils with three layers (0–10, 10–20, and 20–30 cm) were sampled. The results showed that there were no significant differences in SOC between soil layers for PS with 5.09 ± 2.27, 2.60 ± 0.59, and 6.94 ± 3.56 g kg−1, respectively; compared to TS with 4.16 ± 1.48, 3.31 ± 0.88, and 4.32 ± 1.41 g kg−1, respectively. However, significant differences of soil water contents (SWC) and bulk density (BD) were found between two sampling sites, and both BD and pH had significant negative relationships with SOC. It is suggested that low SWC resulting from the ditch could lead to a potential risk of SOC decomposition and offset the soil carbon sink by afforestation. Additionally, pond cypress might be a preferred species selection for ecosystem restoration in both soil carbon sink and landscape aesthetics.

How do weather conditions and environmental characteristics influence aesthetic preferences of freshwater environments?

Freshwater (inland) blue space environments provide a range of public health benefits to visitors. However, health related exposure outcomes are dynamic and can vary depending on several factors, including the environmental characteristics of freshwater environments and their surroundings. Developing and managing inland blue spaces to promote health and wellbeing therefore requires an understanding of whether specific freshwater attributes, and prevailing weather conditions, enhance or devalue landscape aesthetics. The aim of this study was to utilise a mixed-methods research approach to investigate aesthetic preferences of inland blue spaces. A three-phase data collection method was adopted involving (i) analysis of a national-scale landscape image dataset; in combination with (ii) a national-scale online survey; and (iii) a series of in-person focus groups. We found environmental characteristics associated with the waterbody itself, as well as the characteristics of the nearby green space, to have a significant impact on the overall aesthetic appeal of inland blue spaces. Strong preference was demonstrated for inland blue spaces perceived to be of a high environmental quality and which have a natural, rather than human-modified, appearance. The findings highlight the need to conserve the quality of both the waterbody and waterside environment to encourage frequent recreational use and maintain the beneficial public health outcomes associated with inland blue spaces.

Plural relational green space values for whom, when, and where? – A social media approach

The values people ascribe to their interactions with and within the environment are essential to inform justice and sustainability transformations. The development of many of these values unfolds through enjoying so-called cultural ecosystem services (CES) such as outdoor recreation, landscape aesthetics or environmental education. A growing body of literature is improving the assessment of the multiple ways that people value human and non-human relations arising when enjoying CES. Yet, the geo-temporal-demographic patterns of values distribution and the lessons that can be derived are to be consistently analysed within this relational framework. Building on a visual and textual content analysis of social media (SM) data geotagged in a peri-urban park of Barcelona, Spain, this research explores the potential of analysing the associated metadata (such as geotag, timestamp and social media users' demographics – i.e., performed gender and residency) in order to develop a better understanding of the linkages between people's values and the situated context of their construction. Our results show trends in relational CES values distribution along and between the analysed spatial, temporal, and demographic dimensions. In particular, despite there being a multiplicity of values revealed across the whole case-study area, to enjoy contemplative CES, such as spiritual or cognitive value, people need to move away from highly frequented areas and prefer specific times of the day, respectively evening or afternoon. Locals show a higher preference to visit the park on weekends compared to non-locals, while women-performing users show a significantly higher drop in their CES benefits uptake compared to men-performing users at night. In addition to providing novel and fine-grained information for transformative practices toward justice and sustainability, this study highlights the importance of complementing CES studies employing SM with metadata analysis to improve our understanding of the relationship between the real and the more-than-real.

Positive or Negative Viewpoint Determines the Overall Scenic Beauty of a Scene: A Landscape Perception Evaluation Based on a Panoramic View

In the contemporary world, the swift advancement of urbanization, the pressing need for environmental conservation, and humanity’s unyielding quest for a better quality of life have jointly underscored the escalating importance of research on landscape aesthetics and perceptual experiences. Researchers have often evaluated the overall scene’s beauty based on photos taken from a single viewpoint. However, it has been observed that different viewpoints of the same scene can lead to varying degrees of beauty perception. Some positive viewpoints highlight landscape features that contribute to beauty preferences, while negative viewpoints emphasize aspects that may evoke discomfort and decrease perceived beauty. Therefore, a crucial question arises: which viewpoint, positive or negative, holds more influence over the overall beauty of the scene? This paper aimed to address this question by utilizing panoramic map technology to establish a landscape perception evaluation model. The model was based on empirical evidence from various spatial scenes along the Yaozijian Ancient Road in Anhua County, encompassing towns and villages. The study analyzed the functional relationship between landscape factors, positive and negative viewpoints, and the degree of scenic beauty. It was found that (1) it is difficult to reflect the overall scenic beauty of a scene (OSBS) of a single viewpoint photo, and both positive and negative viewpoints of scenic beauty have significant effects on the OSBS. In the empirical case study, it was found that the overall effect of a positive viewpoint of scenic beauty (PVSB) on OSBS was greater; (2) PVSB had a major effect on OSBS with a high visual hierarchy and cloud ratio and a low type of vegetation and proportion of man-made objects; (3) a negative viewpoint of scenic beauty (NVSB) had a major effect on OSBS with a low visual hierarchy of the landscape. The results of the study reveal the relationship between landscape factors of different viewpoints and the OSBS, which can be applied to landscape beauty evaluation and landscape planning and design processes.

How Vegetation Colorization Design Affects Urban Forest Aesthetic Preference and Visual Attention: An Eye-Tracking Study

The enhancement of the urban forest landscape through vegetation colorization has emerged as a continuous concern for urban managers in southern Chinese cities. However, the understanding of how designers can effectively select the appropriate form and intensity of colorization design to align with users’ aesthetic preferences remains limited. The process of visual perception is closely intertwined with eye movements. Employing visualization techniques, this research aims to investigate the impact of colorization design on aesthetic benefits and eye movements in urban forests, considering four intensities (slight, low, medium, and high) and three forms (aggregate, homogeneous, and random). A total of 183 participants (with an average age of 23.5 ± 2.5 years) were randomly assigned to three groups to assess the aesthetics score, while eye-tracking devices were utilized to record eye movement behaviors. The outcomes indicate that a homogeneous design form and a moderate intensity of landscaping yield higher scenic benefits for urban forests. In the case of canopy landscape, both the form and intensity of landscaping have a significant influence on urban forest aesthetics. The HCI with aggregate form showed the best marginal effect (1.313). In contrast, MCI showed the best marginal effect when the design form was random and homogeneous (1.438, 1.308). Furthermore, although the form and intensity of the colorization design significantly affect eye exploration, the perception of landscape aesthetics does not correlate with eye movements. These findings provide valuable insights for design policies aimed at promoting the urban forest landscape, while also contributing to the enrichment of research in landscape perception studies employing eye-tracking technology.

Graffiti on the Development of Urban Arts: Study Case in Yogyakarta City

Urban art, including graffiti, has emerged as a powerful form of creative expression that transforms the aesthetic landscape of cities around the world. This paper focuses on the impact of graffiti on the development of urban arts, with a specific cas study conducted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. Yogyakarta, known for its vibrant artistic scene, has witnessed the evolution of graffiti as a a means of cultural expression and a catalyst for social change. By examining the historical context, artistic techniques, and social significance of graffiti in Yogyakarta, this paper aims to shed light on the transformative power of this art form within an urban environment.

Research on Gardening Art from the Perspective of Different Aesthetic Forms

Aesthetics is an important part of art design, and the analysis of gardening art from the perspective of different aesthetic forms can enhance the designer's aesthetic mood, understand the harmony and richness between people and the living world, and improve people's living space and spiritual realm. Ming Dynasty private gardens are a climax in the history of Chinese gardens, with good craftsmanship, good interest and fine aesthetics, which is a model for the study of contemporary gardening art aesthetics. The past analysis of the aesthetics of garden landscape is mainly from the ancient Chinese traditional thought pattern or mood style, this paper will be analyzed from different aesthetic perspectives. The different forms of aesthetic objects include natural beauty, social beauty, personality beauty, artistic beauty, scientific beauty, technological beauty and ecological beauty. This paper analyzes the gardening art of Jiangnan private gardens in the Ming Dynasty based on different forms, so as to understand and summarize the aesthetic value of the gardening art of Jiangnan private gardens in the Ming Dynasty, in the hope of exploring the more far-reaching aesthetic meaning of gardening art through research.

Conservation of World Heritage glacial landscapes in a changing climate: The Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch case

Many glacial landscapes on all continents are inscribed on the World Heritage List. Due to climate change, most of the glaciers are retreating rapidly, thus questioning their Outstanding Universal Value. This paper clarifies what constitutes the heritage values of glacial landscapes and outlines how the heritage values could evolve in a future with less (or without) ice. For two sites in the UNESCO Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch property (the Great Aletsch Glacier and the Upper Lauterbrunnen Valley), we describe the evolution of the glacial landscape using a Past-Present-Future framework. We then evaluate the present and post-glacial heritage values according to criteria used in the literature on geomorphosites. The results outline two main issues: (1) As glaciers retreat, the geoscientific value will depend more and more on the inherited glacial landforms, such as moraine ridges, which allow the understanding of the Earth and climate history, and less and less on the glacier itself and its dynamics. Their protection is therefore an important issue. (2) The aesthetic value of glacial landscapes could decrease because of the disappearance of the glacier (landscape greying). One possible adaptation could be a shift from glacier tourism, which is mainly oriented towards the contemplation of an aesthetic landscape, to geotourism, where the understanding of landscape evolution is proposed to the public.

How do visitors’ perceptions differ from the supply of cultural ecosystem services in urban parks? A case study from Beijing

ABSTRACT As urban green spaces, parks can provide rich cultural ecosystem services (CES), enhancing the well-being of those living in urban areas. Understanding how people perceive the CES supplied by parks and identifying differences with their supply is crucial for decision-makers and urban planners. In this study, we conducted a quantitative assessment of CES by combining an expert field investigation of parks with visitor questionnaires in the Three Hills and Five Gardens area of Beijing, China. Our assessment system comprised five categories of CES (landscape aesthetics, historical heritages, education, recreation, health and fitness) and eleven indicators. We identified differences between CES supply and perceptions and noted that such discrepancies additionally vary by CES type. We found that multiple CES are interdependent and interwoven. In addition, we discovered that perceptions of historical heritages service are particularly dependent on supply, while perceptions of health and fitness service are relatively independent of the supply. We explored the reasons behind these differences, finding that the visibility and prestige of historical heritages as well as the positioning and the overall condition of parks can affect visitors’ perceptions. Our assessment can be used to guide the optimization of parks so that they may provide higher-quality CES for the public.

Nature and the European Spirit. The Aesthetics of Autonomous Natural Landscape in Painting

Nature and the European Spirit. The Aesthetics of Autonomous Natural Landscape in Painting

How suitable are discrete choice experiments based on landscape indicators for estimating landscape preferences?

Appealing landscapes contribute to human well-being, but landscape changes require the attention of management and planning. Although aesthetic landscape values are increasingly addressed in the context of cultural ecosystem services, their assessment is particularly challenging due to the subjectivity of landscape preferences. To map aesthetic landscape values across landscapes, discrete choice experiments in combination with landscape indicators may be a powerful tool. However, it is still not sufficiently understood (1) whether there are time effects on landscape preferences and (2) how much the stated landscape preferences depend on the selection of landscape pictures that are used as stimuli. To address these open questions, we used an experimental approach involving 252 respondents. Based on photo-based questionnaires with 98 landscapes photographs from the Central Alps, we conducted two survey rounds with one month difference. The visual properties of the photographs were quantified through 11 landscape indicators describing spatial patterns and features. We applied conjoint analysis to derive importances of the attributs and part-worth utilities of the corresponding levels for evaluating the stability of landscape preferences. Our results indicate that landscape preferences remain sufficiently stable over a short period (correlation of 0.890 for mean importances), while the results are more sensitive to the selection of the pictures. This suggests that the methodological approach can provide meaningful insights into landscape preferences if pictures are used that are representative of a specific landscape. Our findings contribute to identifying limitations and opportunities for assessing and mapping aesthetic landscape values to support management and decision-making.

The silent speaker: A Nietzschean reading of Rūmī’s aesthetics of lyric poetry

ABSTRACT Lyric poetry, often regarded as the epitome of subjectivity in the realm of artistic expression, emerges from the depths of the poet’s personal emotions. Hence, in the aesthetic landscape of the nineteenth-century Germany, it was excluded from the inventory of genuine art forms, all of which were deemed to be objective and disinterested. Associating lyric poetry with music in its origin and essence, Nietzsche extends his Schopenhauerian metaphysics of music to the lyric, making it a highly objective art reverberating from the abyss of existence, the Ur-Eine, expressing its intrinsic self-contradictory and agonizing nature. A similar understanding of the creative process of poetic composition in the lyric, which this article aims to elucidate, can also be found in some of Rūmī’s ghazals and observations. These include a metaphysics of the unseen, a reunion through ecstasy and rapture, and a reflection and mirroring, initially through music and then through the lyric.