Scenic preferences concerning clear‐fell areas in Finland

TLDR: In this article, 152 respondents rank-ordered 31 photographs that presented clear felling areas in near-distance view and evaluated 19 scenic features of eight slides by a checklist, and they were also allowed to describe freely the feelings these slides evoked.

Abstract: Altogether 152 respondents rank‐ordered 31 photographs that presented clear felling areas in near‐distance view. In addition, the respondents evaluated 19 scenic features of eight slides by a checklist. They were also allowed to describe freely the feelings these slides evoked. Small clear‐fell areas that had a lot of undergrowth and solitary trees were preferred. Large clear‐fell areas with soil preparation and lop‐and‐top were considered ugliest. Environmentalists, forestry personnel, and residents of the Helsinki region rank‐ordered the photographs in similar ways. However, forestry personnel were more averse to scenes which appeared unmanaged, e.g. grass and shrub vegetation. They also demonstrated a more positive attitude to visible forest management measures like soil preparation and lop‐and‐top. Felling areas were perceived to be beautiful or ugly depending on their implementation. Clear fellings appeared to be assessed both on a scenic or emotional basis, and on ecological and other objec...