A novel approach of mapping landscape aesthetic value and its validation with rural tourism data

Landscape aesthetic research that emerged from the second half of the 20th century has become increasingly appreciated and popular in the last few decades. There are two main reasons for this. On the one hand, it was recognized the role of landscape aesthetics in land use and environmental planning, management and conservation. On the other hand, its definition among Cultural Ecosystem Services has made it clear that landscape aesthetics has significant impact on human well-being and there is a need to examine it in the concept of Ecosystem Services and, in particular, Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES). The mapping of landscape aesthetics is mostly based on the exclusive evaluation of objective, biophysical landscape factors. The aim of the research was to create the landscape aesthetic map of Hungary with a novel method based on human perception. For this, a questionnaire survey and a GIS approach were used. In order to better understand the role of factors influencing the aesthetic value of the landscape, value maps separately for land cover and elevation that are decisive for the landscape experience were prepared. To validate the results of the maps, and contribute a better understanding of the interrelationship between CES, a certain tourism product was chosen, and the connection between landscape aesthetics and the offer of rural tourism was examined in Hungary and in the Danube Bend priority tourism development area. Our findings show that there is a difference in the results of the objective (GIS-based) and subjective (questionnaire-based) assessment of landscape aesthetic value with the more important role of elevation in the latter. According to our tourism product-based analysis, which represents a niche approach in its kind, landscape values are higher in the areas with rural accommodation. At the same time, based on the results of the Danube Bend region, it can also be concluded that elevation and land cover together are crucial factors in landscapes considered to be the most valuable in aesthetic terms. The most direct practical application of our research is to orientate further tourism development of the new Danube Bend area designated in 2017.

Download Full-text

Assessment of Selected Cultural Ecosystem Services: Benefits of Land Cover Ecosystems for Ecological Models of Tourism Development (Case Study of Devín, the District of Bratislava IV)

Mobilities, Tourism and Travel Behavior - Contexts and Boundaries ◽

10.5772/intechopen.71869 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Zdena Krnacova ◽

Peter Barancok ◽

Katarina Pavlickova

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Land Cover ◽

Tourism Development ◽

Ecological Models ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services

Download Full-text

Towards an enhanced indication of provisioning ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment ◽

10.1007/s10661-020-08816-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 193 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Claudia Bethwell ◽

Benjamin Burkhard ◽

Katrin Daedlow ◽

Claudia Sattler ◽

Moritz Reckling ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Case Studies ◽

Strong Dependence ◽

Well Being ◽

Vital Role ◽

Conceptual Base ◽

Provisioning Ecosystem Services ◽

Pros And Cons ◽

Anthropogenic Contributions

AbstractProvisioning ecosystem services play a vital role in sustaining human well-being. Agro-ecosystems contribute a significant share of these services, besides food and fodder and also fuel and fibre as well as regulating and cultural ecosystem services. Until now, the indication of provisioning ecosystem services of agro-ecosystems has been based almost only on yield numbers of agricultural products. Such an indication is problematic due to several reasons which include a disregard of the role of significant anthropogenic contributions to ecosystem service co-generation, external environmental effects and strong dependence on site conditions. We argue for an enhanced indication of provisioning ecosystem services that considers multiple aspects of their delivery. The conceptual base for such an indication has been made by prior publications which have been reviewed. Relevant points were taken up in this article and condensed into a conceptual model in order to develop a more holistic and expanded set of indictors, which was then exemplarily applied and tested in three case studies in Germany. The case studies represent different natural conditions, and the indicator set application showed that ecosystem services (ES) flow—in terms of output alone—does not characterise agro-ecosystems sufficiently. The proposed aspects of provisioning ecosystem services can give a fuller picture, for example, by input-output relationships, as it is possible by just using single indicators. Uncertainties as well as pros and cons of such an approach are elaborated. Finally, recommendations for an enhanced indication of provisioning ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems that can help to integrate agricultural principles with ideas of sustainability and site-specific land use are derived.

Download Full-text

Economic valuation of cultural ecosystem services: The case of landscape aesthetics in the agritourism market

Ecological Economics ◽

10.1016/j.ecolecon.2021.107005 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 184 ◽

pp. 107005

Author(s):

Shachar Hatan ◽

Aliza Fleischer ◽

Anat Tchetchik

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Economic Valuation ◽

Landscape Aesthetics ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services

Download Full-text

Decreased cortisol among hikers who preferentially visit and value biodiverse riparian zones

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79822-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Ellie Opdahl ◽

Kathryn Demps ◽

Julie A. Heath

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Human Health ◽

Salivary Cortisol ◽

Hot Spots ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Well Being ◽

Riparian Areas ◽

Indirect Pathway ◽

Aesthetic Value ◽

Gps Tracks

AbstractWhile outdoor recreationists often report increases to their well-being for time spent in nature, the mechanisms through which local ecologies affect human health have been difficult to quantify, and thus to manage. We combine data from pre-post salivary cortisol measures, GPS tracks, visitor photos, and surveys from 88 hikers traversing several types of landscape within peri-urban public lands in southwest Idaho, USA. We find that time in biodiverse riparian areas and areas of perceived aesthetic value correlates with decreases in salivary cortisol and improved well-being for hikers. Wildlife sightings were not associated with changes in salivary cortisol, but were associated with riparian travel and aesthetic preferences, indicating an indirect pathway for ecosystem services. Additionally, wildlife sightings decreased on high-use days, even though hikers did not perceive a negative impact of their recreational activity. These results suggest that cultural and physiological ecosystem services of nature depend on the ecological community of the area. Preferential visitation and high service value of riparian areas by hikers and wildlife alike target shared riparian areas as hot spots for management efforts to promote both ecological and human health within an increasingly urbanizing world.

Download Full-text

Transformasi Lanskap dan Layanan Ekosistem Budaya di Area Peri-Urban: Wisata Alam dan Permukiman di Bandung Selatan

Jurnal Wilayah dan Lingkungan ◽

10.14710/jwl.9.1.63-78 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

pp. 63-78

Author(s):

Medria Shekar Rani

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Land Cover ◽

Land Cover Change ◽

Landsat Imagery ◽

Urban Ecosystem ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Destination Area ◽

Landscape Alteration ◽

Increasing Demand

Peri-urban provides complementary urban ecosystem services when green areas in cities are decreasing due to densification. However, land cover change in the area from natural landscapes to agriculture and settlements affects the ecosystem's capacity to provide services. This study aims to identify landscape transformation using a model and analyze its effects on cultural ecosystem services at Kawah Putih (White Crater) nature-based tourism destination area in the peri-urban in South Bandung, Indonesia. This study also analyzes how cultural ecosystem services and the increasing demand for new settlements in the area have influenced tourist visitation. Landscape change in the area (1989-2019) was identified from mapsdeveloped from Landsat imagery, using the Land Change Modeler (LCM) module in Terrset. A spatial assessment of offered cultural ecosystem services was then conducted using three indicators based on the land cover change near Kawah Putih. It is found that the composition of developed areas in the district has increased from 6.09% to 10.79% in 30 years. The quality of cultural ecosystem service has decreased, which is arguably influenced by the landscape alteration in the area. However, there was an increasing trend in the number of tourists (2016-2019) despite the deterioration of landscape quality. It is argued that the result is influenced by the visitors' perception of the landscape in the case study area. The rapid land cover change in the area was affected by the nearby city's growth, in which the tourism industry is one of the elements of such transformation.

Download Full-text

Rural Community-Based Tourism Development in Bangladesh: The Conceptual Issues

International Journal of Engineering & Technology ◽

10.14419/ijet.v7i2.29.13657 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (2.29) ◽

pp. 374

Author(s):

Md Afjal Hossain ◽

Uchinlayen .

Keyword(s):

Human Resource Development ◽

Rural Community ◽

Tourism Development ◽

Well Being ◽

Policy Formation ◽

Environmental Benefits ◽

Rural Tourism ◽

Infrastructure Development ◽

Community Based ◽

Community People

The concept of rural tourism can revitalize the conventional concepts of tourism, and bring socio-economic and environmental well-being of the rural community ensuring sustainable development of a particular country. The aim of this paper is to identify the prospects and problems of rural community-based tourism development in Bangladesh. Rural tourism is one of the most promising tourism sectors in Bangladesh. It can bring economic, social and environmental benefits to the community people. Development of the rural tourism will have a significant impact on the GDP and employment opportunities for them who are involved in its development process. This paper finds out some barriers of rural community-based tourism development and provides some suggestions to overcome those challenges. For the development of this promising sector, it needs proper policy formation, infrastructure development, human resource development, enough investment for services and facilities in the destination areas, readiness of rural people to arrange tourism in their areas, public private partnership, sustainable tourism development guidelines, etc. Finally, this paper also looks into at how rural community people of Bangladesh can be involved in the development of tourism activities in their own areas.)

Download Full-text

The role of marketing philosophy in rural tourism development

Tourism and hospitality management ◽

10.20867/thm.18.2.7 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

pp. 267-279

Author(s):

Božo Mihailović ◽

Ilija Moric

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Profit Maximization ◽

Tourism Development ◽

Rural Tourism ◽

Primary Data ◽

Special Focus ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Spatial Redistribution ◽

Business Approach

The purpose – The purpose of this paper is to research the role of marketing concept in the process of the sustainable rural tourism development. Design – The special focus is given to analysis of the factors that influence the implementation of marketing philosophy in tourism and its specifics in area of rural tourism. Methodology – Using available secondary and primary data from government bodies and relevant international organisations, several factors are identified that affect the implementation of marketing philosophy in area of rural tourism. Followed by qualitative analysis, these factors are analyses in details in order to provide the ideas for future development.The development of information technology, competition and growth in its global character, the new buyer and the need for sustainable development are just some of the factors that determine a new way of keeping the rural tourism business. Approach – Implementation of marketing philosophy in rural tourism is examined on the level of tourist destination, due to importance of cooperation and coordination on this macro level for the sustainable development of the rural tourism. Findings – Key findings indicate that marketing in rural tourism should be seen as a means to achieve development of strategic goals of rural tourist destinations, such as: long-term prosperity, guest satisfaction, profit maximization, extension of the tourist season, neutralizing the negative social impacts, stabilization of employment, support and further diversification of existing economic activity, temporal and spatial redistribution of tourist demand etc. Therefore, marketing cannot be understood simply as propaganda or simply as printing leaflets, but as a platform for defining business objectives and strategies, and creation of tourist products which deliver unique experience to consumers and generate profit for rural tourism destination. The originality of this research – The originality comes from the analysis of the specifics of marketing implementation in rural tourism.

Download Full-text

Management of mountainous meadows associated with biodiversity attributes, perceived health benefits and cultural ecosystem services

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-019-51571-5 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Raja Imran Hussain ◽

Ronnie Walcher ◽

Renate Eder ◽

Brigitte Allex ◽

Peter Wallner ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Human Health ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Health Benefits ◽

Perceived Health ◽

Well Being ◽

Swiss Alps ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Landscape Characteristics

Abstract Associations between biodiversity, human health and well-being have never been discussed with reference to agriculturally managed, species-rich mountainous meadows. We evaluated these associations between extensively managed (one mowing a year, no fertilization) and abandoned (no mowing since more than 80 years, no fertilization) semi-dry meadows located in the Austrian and Swiss Alps. We quantified the richness and abundance of plants, grasshoppers, true bugs, bumblebees, syrphids and landscape characteristics in the surroundings of the meadows. Associations between these biodiversity attributes and short-term psychological and physiological human health effects were assessed with 22 participants (10 males, 12 females; mean age 27 years). Participants´ pulse rate, systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were not affected during visits to managed or abandoned meadows. However, perceived health benefits (e.g., stress reduction, attention restoration) were higher during their stays in managed than in abandoned meadows. Also, the attractiveness of the surrounding landscape and the recreation suitability were rated higher when visiting managed meadows. Perceived naturalness was positively correlated with plant richness and flower cover. A positive correlation was found between SBP and forest cover, but SBP was negatively correlated with the open landscape. A negative association was found between grasshoppers and recreational and landscape perceptions. We suggest to discuss biodiversity attributes not only in connection with agricultural management but also with cultural ecosystem services and health benefits to raise more awareness for multifaceted interrelationships between ecosystems and humans.

Download Full-text