Modeling forest scenic beauty: Concepts and application to ponderosa pine

Thomas C. Brown; Terry C. Daniel

doi:10.2737/RM-RP-256

Treesearch

Modeling forest scenic beauty: Concepts and application to ponderosa pine

Informally Refereed

Authors:

Thomas C. Brown, Terry C. Daniel

Year:

1984

Type:

Research Paper

Station:

Rocky Mountain Research Station

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2737/RM-RP-256

Source:

Res. Pap. RM-RP-256. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Servce, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 35 p.

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Download (PDF 1.11 MB): https://research.fs.usda.gov/download/treesearch/6264.pdf

Abstract

Statistical models are presented which relate near-view scenic beauty of ponderosa pine stands in the Southwest to variables describing physical characteristics. The models suggest that herbage and large ponderosa pine contribute to scenic beauty, while numbers of small and intermediate-sized pine trees and downed wood, especially as slash, detract from scenic beauty. Areas of lower overstory density and less tree clumping were preferred. Moderate harvest of relatively dense stands tends to improve scenic beauty once the stand has recovered from obvious harvest effects. The recovery period can be greatly reduced by slash cleanup.

Keywords

Scenic beauty, landscape assessment, forest esthetics, Pinus ponderosa

Citation

Brown, Thomas C. and Terry C. Daniel. 1984. Modeling forest scenic beauty: Concepts and application to ponderosa pine. Res. Pap. RM-RP-256. Fort Collins, CO: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Servce, Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment Station. 35 p.