Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (1): 139-156, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Landscape evaluation: an environmental management
The landscape is the spatial and visual expression of our surroundings. It is a scarce
natural resource, valuable and in growing demand, easily depreciated and difficult to renew. The visual landscape encompasses the
aesthetics and the capacity of perception of the observer. In order to evaluate a landscape there are several methods and procedures.
A mixed method is proposed with direct valuation of representative subjectivity and a subsequent indirect analysis with an analysis of
main components. This modified method attempts to solve the problem of subjectivity with groups of evaluators whose global opinion
is representative, and is valuated using a survey that contains a lists of adjectives with numeric values to facilitate its processing. A
panel of experts will participate in the analysis of main components. The technique of valuation of the landscape is the analysis of
preferences, that regards the value of a landscape as a function of the number of individuals who prefer it. A method is also described
to evaluate the fragility of the landscape, which together with the valuation allow the application of criteria for preservation and
conservation. An evaluation will be equivalent to a photograph taken at a specific instant in time, that could be compared with a similar
photograph in the future. This will make it possible to quantify the loss (or improvement) of valuable landscapes, their destructive
agents and their restoration management. The average citizen is nowadays, for several reasons, developing an “environmental
conscience” with a newfound recognition of the value of natural spaces and their ecosystems. This explains the increasing resistance
from the public to the loss of spaces of high tourism, scenic and recreational value. For this reason, it is imperative to control the
environmental impact that certain projects can have on the landscape, especially in the decision making process regarding proposals
for projects from the private industry or public utilities (roads, sewer systems, and others). As an example of the proposed
methodology, results are shown from a study in the Ruta 5 Sur de Chile, in a north-south 587 km long segment.
Key words:
visual landscape,
landscape evaluation methodology
