IDENTIFYING AND PREDICTING VISUAL PREFERENCE OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN FOREST RECREATION VISTAS

Visual preference of forest recreation vistas from the Blue Ridge Park way of the Southern Appalachians was measured and used as a dependent variable for determining landscape predictors of vistas preference. A photo-questionnaire was used to obtain scenic preference ratings for v istas from 721 parkway visitors. Factor analysis of visual preference estimate values for 96 vistas reduced the data set to nine vista lands cape themes. Mountain forest landscapes with water, either flowing or stationary, ranked highest in scenic preference, followed by mountain vistas with multi-ridges in the background. Least preferred were vista landscapes consisting of views with only one mountain ridge present, and vistas in which the foreground woody vegetation obscured a portion of the vista. Topography, vegetation zones, viewing distance and domi nant landscape features identified within the nine factored landscape themes were digitized and quantified. Multiple regression models were formulated using the digitized landscape and feature measurements as p redictors of scenic preference. Results indicated 76 and 71% of the va riance in scenic preference could be explained by the best two models. Forest border or edge in the fore/midground, moving water, and amount of ridge line (multi-ridges) were positive predictors, while obstruct ing vegetation in the foreground of unmaintained vistas detracted the most from scenic preference. Both the qualitative identification of sc enic landscape themes through factor analysis, and the quantitative de termination of landscape predictors of scenic preference have implicat ions for the designing and management of overlook vistas in scenic rec reation areas.