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Can We Model the Scenic Beauty of an Alpine Landscape?

Author

Listed:
  • Uta Schirpke

    (Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Sonja Hölzler

    (Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

  • Georg Leitinger

    (Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Maria Bacher

    (Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Ulrike Tappeiner

    (Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy
    Institute of Ecology, University of Innsbruck, Sternwartestr. 15, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria)

  • Erich Tasser

    (Institute for Alpine Environment, EURAC research, Viale Druso 1, 39100 Bolzano, Italy)

Abstract

During the last decade, agriculture has lost its importance in many European mountain regions and tourism, which benefits from attractive landscapes, has become a major source of income. Changes in landscape patterns and elements might affect scenic beauty and therefore the socio-economic welfare of a region. Our study aimed at modeling scenic beauty by quantifying the influence of landscape elements and patterns in relationship to distance. Focusing on Alpine landscapes in South and North Tyrol, we used a photographic questionnaire showing different landscape compositions. As mountain landscapes offer long vistas, we related scenic beauty to different distance zones. Our results indicate that the near zone contributes by 64% to the valuation of scenic beauty, the middle zone by 22%, and the far zone by 14%. In contrast to artificial elements, naturalness and diversity increased scenic beauty. Significant differences between different social groups (origin, age, gender, cultural background) occurred only between the local population and tourists regarding great landscape changes. Changes towards more homogenous landscapes were perceived negatively, thus political decision makers should support the conservation of the cultural landscape.

Suggested Citation

  • Uta Schirpke & Sonja Hölzler & Georg Leitinger & Maria Bacher & Ulrike Tappeiner & Erich Tasser, 2013. "Can We Model the Scenic Beauty of an Alpine Landscape?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-15, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:5:y:2013:i:3:p:1080-1094:d:24080
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Blicharska, Malgorzata & Smithers, Richard J. & Hedblom, Marcus & Hedenås, Henrik & Mikusiński, Grzegorz & Pedersen, Eja & Sandström, Per & Svensson, Johan, 2017. "Shades of grey challenge practical application of the cultural ecosystem services concept," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 55-70.
    2. Schirpke, Uta & Scolozzi, Rocco & Dean, Graeme & Haller, Andreas & Jäger, Hieronymus & Kister, Jutta & Kovács, Barbara & Sarmiento, Fausto O. & Sattler, Birgit & Schleyer, Christian, 2020. "Cultural ecosystem services in mountain regions: Conceptualising conflicts among users and limitations of use," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 46(C).
    3. Santé, Inés & Tubío, José María & Miranda, David, 2020. "Public participation in defining landscape planning scenarios and landscape quality objectives (LQO): Landscape Guidelines for Galicia (NW Spain) case study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    4. Ciesielski, Mariusz & Stereńczak, Krzysztof, 2021. "Using Flickr data and selected environmental characteristics to analyse the temporal and spatial distribution of activities in forest areas," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).
    5. Schirpke, Uta & Meisch, Claude & Marsoner, Thomas & Tappeiner, Ulrike, 2018. "Revealing spatial and temporal patterns of outdoor recreation in the European Alps and their surroundings," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 31(PC), pages 336-350.
    6. Carine Pachoud & Riccardo Da Re & Maurizio Ramanzin & Stefano Bovolenta & Damiano Gianelle & Enrico Sturaro, 2020. "Tourists and Local Stakeholders’ Perception of Ecosystem Services Provided by Summer Farms in the Eastern Italian Alps," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-16, February.

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