Vista Scenic Beauty Estimation Modeling: A GIS Approach
A GIS-based prediction model to evaluate vista scenic beauty ('natural scenic beauty').
"Natural scenic beauty" is a concept that National Forest Managers mustgrapple with continuously when it comes to planning and decision makingfor the future of our forests. This resource has been difficult to defineand has been the subject of over twenty years of research and developmenteffort. Even more complex, are the vista perspectives, where in the viewer is typically elevated above the forest canopy and the view extendsover relatively large expanses of forest landscape. This special case requiressophisticated techniques that take into account the levels of precision,reliability, and validity necessary to support public land management decisions.This paper discusses the components required for a GIS-based, "3-dimensional"prediction model for vista scenic beauty, including, 1) determination ofsignificant viewpoints, 2) procedures for viewshed area specification andanalysis, 3) defining the locus of vista scenic beauty (landscape or viewpoint),4) the definition and computational methodology of relevant georelationallandscape features, and 5) the statistical model used to generate predictedvalues.
Presented At
1997 ESRI International User Conference
San Diego Convention Center
San Diego, California
T.C. Daniel, M.J. Meitner
July 1997
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Other
GIS/Mapping, Perceptions/Values/Attitudes
Utah
AH-701, AH-701, SMS, SMS, Scenery Management System, Scenery Management System
UFS
