Esthetics evaluation

Abstract

An analysis of summer visual attributes and an overview of ongoing scenic quality research within selected shortleaf pine-hardwood stands in the Ouachita and Ozark National forests are presented.Within-stand visual attributes were reported prior to even-aged stand-level (Phase II) treatment for twelve 40-acre stands in the north, east, and south regions and for plot-level (pre-Phase I) visual attributes for twenty 0.5-acre plots examined two growing seasons after disturbance.No differences in visual attributes before treatment were apparent between 0.0 to 2.8 feet and 2.9 to 5.5 feet aboveground.From the stand-level study, there were no significant differences among regions but there were significant differences among stands and sample points.The plot-level study revealed differences by distance zone aboveground for disturbed plots.Greater foliage and twig screening and reduced visual penetration in lower zone views were associated with increased overstory removal.Visual penetration was lower and foliage and twig screening was higher in low elevation landform positions compared with high elevation landform positions.Insight from both studies suggests that a significant difference between viewing zones in summer may by suitable as an index of recent stand disturbance.

Citation

Rudis, Victor A.; Gramann, James H.; Herrick, Theresa A. 1994. Esthetics evaluation. Proceedings of the symposium on ecosystem management research in the Ouachita Mountains: pretreatment conditions and preliminary findings; 1993 October 26-27; Hot Springs, AR.