Viewsheds and recreation demand: Approaches for capturing visual qualities of the landscape post-fire

Abstract

Spatial data metrics are commonly used to capture environmental quality for recreation and visitation studies. Spatial data and tools, such as viewshed analysis, provide methods to incorporate spatial attributes into nonmarket valuation studies of consumer preferences, like portraying changes in visual-sensory qualities (e.g., from wildfires). We review the use of viewsheds in the nonmarket valuation literature and summarize insights from viewshed-based studies in other disciplines. We offer a conceptual framework for how to incorporate viewsheds into recreation demand studies, including to capture post-fire landscape changes. We discuss recent innovations in methods and data and identify avenues for future research.

Citation

Kolstoe, Sonja H.; Kaminski, Abigail R.; Maher, Anna T. 2023. Viewsheds and recreation demand: Approaches for capturing visual qualities of the landscape post-fire. Western Economics Forum. 21(2): 24-33.