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Abstract
This paper uses a Pennsylvania case study to discuss opportunities for using crowdsourced and georeferenced photography to aid in visual resource conservation and planning. Studies have shown that clustering of georeferenced photos indicates interest in a point of view within the landscape or a particular visual or cultural resource. This clustering can also aid in prioritizing visual resource conservation efforts by indicating preference for certain locations over others. The present research began by examining where in Pennsylvania people were taking photos using Google Earth imagery sourced from the now nonoperational (as of November 2016) Website Panoramio. We analyzed the content and locations of 7,309 photos. To provide some context for conservation, we focus here on photos taken in areas of Pennsylvania with natural gas "fracking" activity. However, this method can also be applied to situations with other forms of landscape impacts related to climate change, population growth, and urban/suburban sprawl.
Parent Publication
Citation
Goldberg, Lacey K.; Murtha, Timothy M.; Orland, Brian. 2018. The Use of Crowdsourced and Georeferenced Photography to Aid in Visual Resource Planning and Conservation: A Pennsylvania Case Study. In: Gobster, Paul H.; Smardon, Richard C., eds. Visual resource stewardship conference proceedings: landscape and seascape management in a time of change. Gen. Tech. Rep. NRS-P-183. Newtown Square, PA: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Northern Research Station: 116-126.
