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Effects of hardwood retention, season of year, and landform on the perceived scenic beauty of forest plots in the Ouachita Mountains

Informally Refereed

Abstract

Results from a study of the within-stand visual effects of alternative reproduction cutting methods on 20 experimental plots in the Ouachita National Forest are presented. Treatments varied in their level of hardwood retention from complete suppression of hardwoods to retention of 30 ft2/acre of basal area. Using color transparency film, plots were photo-sampled two growing seasons after treatments were imposed.The color slides were rated for their scenic beauty by students at Texas A&M University.Results showed that perceived scenic beauty increased with the level of hardwood retention and that summer, fall, and spring views were preferred over those taken during winter. Ridgetop plots on north-facing slopes were rated as significantly more scenic than plots on gentle-slope north-facing positions.

Citation

Gramann, James H. ; Rudis, Victor A. 1994. Effects of hardwood retention, season of year, and landform on the perceived scenic beauty of forest plots in the Ouachita Mountains. Proceedings of the Symposium on ecosystem management research in the Ouachita Mountains: pretreatment conditions and preliminary findings; 1993 October 26-27 ;Hot Springs, AR.
https://www.fs.usda.gov/research/treesearch/493