VISUAL PERCEPTIONS PRECONDITIONS ALONG WALKING TRAILS IN FOREST LANDSCAPES

Visual perceptions constitute the majority of the human perception of the surrounding area. Therefore, they have the greatest significance in shaping the composition of forest landscapes. This is particularly important along the walking trails where the tourists have full contact with surrounding natural environment. Although there is a large subjective factor in visual perceptions of landscapes within the article is made attempt to find some objective landscape characteristics which have a decisive influence on these perceptions. Existing topography and vegetation are seen as key factors for perceptions of environmental features determining the place of observation and limits of direct visibility. The panoramic views and attractive landscape fragments and landscape paintings are often the main focus in the construction of trails for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding. Most of them use the existing pedestrian routes that do not always provide the tourist demand landscape attractiveness. It is a serious study and application of compositional principles for the formation of spaces along the tourist trails to increase the mental- emotional impact of forest landscapes on tourists. The article discusses the application of the principles of landscape architecture for environmental friendliness, logical paths, optimal visual quality and landscape impacts on the tourists. Particular attention was given to the role of eco-trails as a prerequisite for contemplation of unique landscapes, enhance cognitive nature of outdoor recreation and suggesting respect for nature by tourists.Visual perceptions constitute the majority of the human perception of the surrounding area. Therefore, they have the greatest significance in shaping the composition of forest landscapes. This is particularly important along the walking trails where the tourists have full contact with surrounding natural environment. Although there is a large subjective factor in visual perceptions of landscapes within the article is made attempt to find some objective landscape characteristics which have a decisive influence on these perceptions. Existing topography and vegetation are seen as key factors for perceptions of environmental features determining the place of observation and limits of direct visibility. The panoramic views and attractive landscape fragments and landscape paintings are often the main focus in the construction of trails for hiking, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding. Most of them use the existing pedestrian routes that do not always provide the tourist demand landscape attractiveness. It is a serious study and application of compositional principles for the formation of spaces along the tourist trails to increase the mental- emotional impact of forest landscapes on tourists. The article discusses the application of the principles of landscape architecture for environmental friendliness, logical paths, optimal visual quality and landscape impacts on the tourists. Particular attention was given to the role of eco-trails as a prerequisite for contemplation of unique landscapes, enhance cognitive nature of outdoor recreation and suggesting respect for nature by tourists

The role of plants on the impact of cultural and historical monuments

Visual impact of cultural and historical monuments determined by surrounding plants is the focus of discussion in the paper. Their influence on passengers and onlookers sidelong roadways and trails is described in detail. A great number of practical examples have been examined with the purpose of drawing some general conclusions from this problem to the advantage of landscape design practice. The result of the analysis shows a considerable role of vegetation in visual impact of monuments over the observers. Using color photographs and observations from a number of different positions for a lot of monuments and memorials the survey concludes that from the standpoint of aesthetic value or attractiveness the vegetation often plays a leading role. It is not a detailed study of compositional principles for the formation of spaces around the monuments, but demonstrates the complexity of the problem and gave some results in addition to the theoretical foundations in this respect. Although the scenic beauty metrics are quite debatable and controversial case it is hoped that the conclusions of this paper will facilitate needed discussion on vegetation appropriateness and usefulness in monument's landscape design

The role of plants on the impact of cultural and historical monuments

Visual impact of cultural and historical monuments determined by surrounding plants is the focus of discussion in the paper. Their influence on passengers and onlookers sidelong roadways and trails is described in detail. A great number of practical examples have been examined with the purpose of drawing some general conclusions from this problem to the advantage of landscape design practice. The result of the analysis shows a considerable role of vegetation in visual impact of monuments over the observers. Using color photographs and observations from a number of different positions for a lot of monuments and memorials the survey concludes that from the standpoint of aesthetic value or attractiveness the vegetation often plays a leading role. It is not a detailed study of compositional principles for the formation of spaces around the monuments, but demonstrates the complexity of the problem and gave some results in addition to the theoretical foundations in this respect. Although the scenic beauty metrics are quite debatable and controversial case it is hoped that the conclusions of this paper will facilitate needed discussion on vegetation appropriateness and usefulness in monument's landscape design

Decision support tools and strategies to simulate forest landscape evolutions integrating forest owner behaviour: a review from the case studies of the European Project, INTEGRAL

For forest sustainability and vulnerability assessment, the landscape scale is considered to be more and more relevant as the stand level approaches its known limitations. This review, which describes the main forest landscape simulation tools used in the 20 European case studies of the European project “Future-oriented integrated management of European forest landscapes” (INTEGRAL), gives an update on existing decision support tools to run landscape simulation from Mediterranean to boreal ecosystems. The main growth models and software available in Europe are described, and the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches are discussed. Trades-offs between input efforts and output are illustrated. Recommendations for the selection of a forest landscape simulator are given. The paper concludes by describing the need to have tools that are able to cope with climate change and the need to build more robust indicators for assessment of forest landscape sustainability and vulnerability.The INTEGRAL project has received funding from the European Union’s Seventh Programme for research, technological development and demonstration under grant agreement No. 282887. http://www. integral-project.eu/. Moreover, financial support by the Transnational Access to Research Infrastructures activity in the 7th Framework Programme of the EC under the Trees4Future project (No. 284181) for conducting the research is gratefully acknowledged. This research has also received funding from the European Union H2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant agreement No. 691149 (SuFoRun). Researcher Jordi Garcia-Gonzalo was supported by a “Ramon y Cajal” research contract from the MINECO (Ref. RYC-2013-14262) and has received funding from CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya. This paper could be achieved thanks to support of EFIATLANTIC donors: Conseil regional d’Aquitaine, Ministère de l’agriculture et de la forêt

How sensitive are ecosystem services in European forest landscapes to silvicultural treatment?

While sustainable forestry in Europe is characterized by the provision of a multitude of forest ecosystem services, there exists no comprehensive study that scrutinizes their sensitivity to forest management on a pan-European scale, so far. We compile scenario runs from regionally tailored forest growth models and Decision Support Systems (DSS) from 20 case studies throughout Europe and analyze whether the ecosystem service provision depends on management intensity and other co-variables, comprising regional affiliation, social environment, and tree species composition. The simulation runs provide information about the case-specifically most important ecosystem services in terms of appropriate indicators. We found a strong positive correlation between management intensity and wood production, but only weak correlation with protective and socioeconomic forest functions. Interestingly, depending on the forest region, we found that biodiversity can react in both ways, positively and negatively, to increased management intensity. Thus, it may be in tradeoff or in synergy with wood production and forest resource maintenance. The covariables species composition and social environment are of punctual interest only, while the affiliation to a certain region often makes an important difference in terms of an ecosystem service’s treatment sensitivityinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

THE ROLE OF PLANTS ON THE IMPACT OF CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS

Visual impact of cultural and historical monuments determined by surrounding plants is the focus of discussion in the paper. Their influence on passengers and onlookers sidelong roadways and trails is described in detail. A great number of practical examples have been examined with the purpose of drawing some general conclusions from this problem to the advantage of landscape design practice. The result of the analysis shows a considerable role of vegetation in visual impact of monuments over the observers. Using color photographs and observations from a number of different positions for a lot of monuments and memorials the survey concludes that from the standpoint of aesthetic value or attractiveness the vegetation often plays a leading role. It is not a detailed study of compositional principles for the formation of spaces around the monuments, but demonstrates the complexity of the problem and gave some results in addition to the theoretical foundations in this respect. Although the scenic beauty metrics are quite debatable and controversial case it is hoped that the conclusions of this paper will facilitate needed discussion on vegetation appropriateness and usefulness in monument's landscape design

Aesthetic evaluation of forest landscapes within the training and experimental forest range (TEFR) Yundola, R. Bulgaria

The research focuses on understanding the scenic beauty of the landscape in the context of environmental planning, management focused on the forest landscape.Our landscape preferences are thought to be influenced by many factors: age, gender, ethnicity, regionality, recreational activity; some researchers even maintain there is an evolutionary basis behind certain landscape preferences. But of these factors, our dominant culture and history have played major roles in shaping our preferences for landscapes that are natural in character. Aesthetic appreciation of forest parks in the survey is made of the objective characteristics of the existing topography and vegetation. Data are taken from the map or text materials containing information about the terrain. The dominance elements and variable factors of landscapes appear in varying degrees, depending upon the viewing distance. The research automates aesthetic evaluation of forest landscapes using GIS

НЕКОТОРЫЕ ВИЗУАЛЬНЫЕ ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКИ ЛЕСНЫХ ПЕЙЗАЖЕЙ НА ТУРИСТИЧЕСКИХ МАРШРУТАХ

This article discusses some visual landscape characteristics and illustrates several specific examples of changes occurring in the appearance of forest landscapes located along the trails of our popular mountain resorts or eco-trails in Bulgarian natural phenomena. This allows you to get a real idea of the dynamics of the landscape along the alleys or paths in the forests and meadows along the tourist routes in Bulgaria. This study may help to clarify many issues on the design of eco-trails, criteria and standards for their construction and their maintenance responsibilities. Bulgarian tourists and nature lovers themselves have created some of the most remarkable of them, surrounded by beautiful scenery of mountains, waterfalls, forests, cliffs and gorges. Landscape architects here are debtors of the society in this regard remain static observers of tourism issues. Bulgarian ecological trails are designed to facilitate the access of tourists to countless landmarks. These tourist routes allow for summer and winter trekking and walking, and are an excellent idea for a holiday weekend.В этой статье обсуждаются некоторые визуальные характеристики ландшафта и приводится несколько конкретных примеров изменений, происходящих во внешнем виде лесных ландшафтов, расположенных вдоль троп наших популярных горных курортов или экологических троп болгарских природных явлений. Это позволяет получить реальное представление о динамике ландшафта по аллеям или тропинкам в лесах и лугах по туристическим маршрутам в Болгарии. Это исследование может помочь прояснить многие вопросы, касающиеся проектирования экологических троп, критериев и стандартов их строительства и их обязанностей по содержанию. Сами болгарские туристы и любители природы создали одни из самых замечательных из них, окруженные красивыми пейзажами гор, водопадов, лесов, скал и ущелий. Ландшафтные архитекторы здесь являются должниками общества, в этом отношении остаются статичными наблюдателями за проблемами туризма. Болгарские экологические тропы предназначены для облегчения доступа туристов к бесчисленным достопримечательностям. Эти туристические маршруты подходят для летних и зимних походов и прогулок и являются отличной идеей для праздничных выходных

Creating a database for the dendrarium using remote sensing and GIS technologies – examples of experimental forest department “Petrohan”, R. Bulgaria

Using Remote Sensing and GIS technologies as an aid for creating database for the dendrarium in the Тraining and Experimental Forest Range “Petrohan” is the focus of discussion in the paper. The cardinal study goal is illustrating a concrete instance of applying GIS technology in the landscape architecture survey. This paper describs the methodology of vegetation mapping using traditional method combined with remote sensing data. Creating graphical and attribute table databases is also useful in the education of students in the University of Forestry in Sofia. Making semester projects in academic discipline “Dendrology” the students have to learn and analyze the features of trees and shrubs. GIS software provids the capability to analyze large data sets containing features of coniferous and deciduous trees and shrubs in the dendrarium. In the other hand the purpose of the development of the vegetation mapping methodology is to provide an objective and cost-effective survey method utilizing satellite remote sensing for the vegetation mapping. Overall, these results confirm that satellite imagery data coupled with field observations and direct measurements can be used effectively for precise mapping of trees and shrubs.The result of the analysis shows that image objects extracted from satellite data provide a new opportunity to make detailed inventory maps of ornamental vegetation in parks. In such cases, it is imperative that such exploration technologies should be used, which are cost effective and provide greater accuracy. An integrated approach of remote sensing and GIS technologies can just suffice these requirements during exploratory efforts in difficult terrains