Integrating spatially explicit representations of landscape perceptions into land change research
Purpose of Review
Human perceptions of the landscape can influence land-use and land-management decisions. Recognizing the diversity of landscape perceptions across space and time is essential to understanding land change processes and emergent landscape patterns. We summarize the role of landscape perceptions in the land change process, demonstrate advances in quantifying and mapping landscape perceptions, and describe how these spatially explicit techniques have and may benefit land change research.
Recent Findings
Mapping landscape perceptions is becoming increasingly common, particularly in research focused on quantifying ecosystem services provision. Spatial representations of landscape perceptions, often measured in terms of landscape values and functions, provide an avenue for matching social and environmental data in land change studies. Integrating these data can provide new insights into land change processes, contribute to landscape planning strategies, and guide the design and implementation of land change models.
Summary
Challenges remain in creating spatial representations of human perceptions. Maps must be accompanied by descriptions of whose perceptions are being represented and the validity and uncertainty of those representations across space. With these considerations, rapid advancements in mapping landscape perceptions hold great promise for improving representation of human dimensions in landscape ecology and land change research.
Citation Information
| Publication Year | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Title | Integrating spatially explicit representations of landscape perceptions into land change research |
| DOI | 10.1007/s40823-017-0025-1 |
| Authors | Monica Dorning, Derek B. Van Berkel, Darius J. Semmens |
| Publication Type | Article |
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Series Title | Current Landscape Ecology Reports |
| Index ID | 70190194 |
| Record Source | USGS Publications Warehouse |
| USGS Organization | Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center |