Download (PDF 88 KB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/14938.pdf
Abstract
Using the Scenic Beauty Estimator (SBE) approach, within-stand color photographs were taken of 27 forested sites representative of the Central Appalachian Plateau. These sites had been repeatedly infested by gypsy moth (
Lymantria dispar) (GM) to varying degrees since 1985, with resulting tree mortality from 6% - 97%. Eighty-one slides (3 slides/site) were randomly arranged and presented to 415 subjects. Subjects were composed of professional foresters, forestry students, recreation students, members of the Izaak Walton League, and a pool of general students. Within each group, half of the respondents were told the damage was caused by GM and the other half were not told. In order to evaluate the effect of GM on recreation visitation, half the subjects rated the slides for scenic beauty (SBE) and the other half for likelihood of visiting (LOV).
Parent Publication
Citation
Brock, Samuel M.; Hollenhorst, Steve; Freimund, Wayne. 1991. Effects of gypsy moth infestation on aesthetic preferences and behavior intentions. In: Gottschalk, Kurt W.; Twery, Mark J.; Smith, Shirley I., eds. Proceedings, U.S. Department of Agriculture interagency gypsy moth research review 1990; East Windsor, CT. Gen. Tech. Rep. NE-146. Radnor, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment Station: 131.
