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Landscapes Forest and Global Change - ESA - Escola Superior ...

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J. Beldade & T. Panagopoulos 2010. Integrating esthetical <strong>and</strong> ecological values at the central Asia l<strong>and</strong>scape change<br />

342<br />

3. Results <strong>and</strong> Conclusions<br />

Regardless of their fragile ecosystems <strong>and</strong> stigma of l<strong>and</strong>scapes to avoid, decertified areas enjoy<br />

numerous human-based <strong>and</strong> natural attractions that are in some cases unique in natural world.<br />

Finding of this study well reveal that arid areas have a great number of potential capacities.<br />

Natural features like dunes, salt domes, erosion sculpts badl<strong>and</strong>s, salt lakes, fresh <strong>and</strong> saline<br />

water springs, <strong>and</strong> animals well- adapted to hard-to-live circumstances, are just few instances of<br />

wonderful natural phenomena one can see in an arid area. cactus <strong>and</strong> halophyte plants, from<br />

small bushes to 6-meter high shrubs, are other natural picturesque sceneries that only deserts<br />

can offer. Also, human-based attractions like historical monuments, type of architecture <strong>and</strong><br />

materials used for construction purposes, the ways desert-dwellers produce <strong>and</strong> subsist or deal<br />

with drought are other striking views that can attract tourists.<br />

Tabular data relating to the distribution of scenic ratings, <strong>and</strong> the indications of preference<br />

among observers, were generated using SPSS statistical software. After qualitative analysis, 7<br />

main categories of cognitive aspects of natural l<strong>and</strong>scapes were identified. Each l<strong>and</strong>scape<br />

evoked each participant's memories <strong>and</strong> background, <strong>and</strong> altered through these influences,<br />

imagination/association, impression, aesthetic judgments, <strong>and</strong> meaning <strong>and</strong> attractiveness of<br />

nature.<br />

All these played their roles in the evaluation of desert l<strong>and</strong>scapes (Figure 1). Each question<br />

caused that the participants remembered individual memories from their life <strong>and</strong> memories<br />

acquired through media or education. Participant’s background, hobbies <strong>and</strong> personal preference<br />

influenced the l<strong>and</strong>scape cognition. Time of day <strong>and</strong> season were also associated with questions<br />

related to first impressions about the l<strong>and</strong>scape. Imaginative activities <strong>and</strong> modifications<br />

concerning the l<strong>and</strong>scapes as well as the feeling of greatness of nature influence the answers.<br />

Also, because the participants were related to planning <strong>and</strong> design of l<strong>and</strong>scapes they judged the<br />

l<strong>and</strong>scape aesthetically depending on particular elements of the scene <strong>and</strong> they were able to<br />

underst<strong>and</strong> it as a photograph or as an actual scene.<br />

14<br />

Desert Topical Isl<strong>and</strong> Mountain Rural<br />

12<br />

10<br />

8<br />

6<br />

4<br />

2<br />

0<br />

Liberty<br />

Discomfort<br />

Solitude<br />

Admiration<br />

Fear<br />

Enthusiasm<br />

Surprise<br />

Adventurous<br />

Curious<br />

Boring<br />

Sadness<br />

Harmony<br />

Asymmetry<br />

Simplicity<br />

Equilibrium<br />

Power<br />

Vastness<br />

Spiritual<br />

Obscure<br />

Incomprehensible<br />

Happiness<br />

Figure 1. Feelings evoked by each participant when evaluating different types of l<strong>and</strong>scapes.<br />

L<strong>and</strong>scape cognition with photographs showed dynamic <strong>and</strong> complicated interactions of various<br />

mental aspects during the course of each session. Participants had sufficient time for various<br />

<strong>Forest</strong> <strong>L<strong>and</strong>scapes</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Global</strong> <strong>Change</strong>-New Frontiers in Management, Conservation <strong>and</strong> Restoration. Proceedings of the IUFRO L<strong>and</strong>scape Ecology<br />

Working Group International Conference, September 21-27, 2010, Bragança, Portugal. J.C. Azevedo, M. Feliciano, J. Castro & M.A. Pinto (eds.)<br />

2010, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança, Bragança, Portugal.

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