Quantifying the visual-sensory landscape qualities that contribute to cultural ecosystem services using social media and LiDAR

Derek B. Van Berkel; Payam Tabrizian; Monica Dorning; Lindsey S. Smart; Doug Newcomb; Megan Mehaffey; Anne Neale; Ross K. Meentemeyer

doi:10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.03.022

USGS · 70197962

Quantifying the visual-sensory landscape qualities that contribute to cultural ecosystem services using social media and LiDAR

Derek B. Van Berkel·Payam Tabrizian·Monica Dorning·Lindsey S. Smart·Doug Newcomb·Megan Mehaffey·Anne Neale·Ross K. Meentemeyer

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Abstract

Landscapes are increasingly recognized for providing valuable cultural ecosystem services with numer- ous non-material benefits by serving as places of rest, relaxation, and inspiration that ultimately improve overall mental health and physical well-being. Maintaining and enhancing these valuable benefits through targeted management and conservation measures requires understanding the spatial and tem- poral determinants of perceived landscape values. Content contributed through mobile technologies and the web are emerging globally, providing a promising data source for localizing and assessing these land- scape benefits. These georeferenced data offer rich in situ qualitative information through photos and comments that capture valued and special locations across large geographic areas. We present a novel method for mapping and modeling landscape values and perceptions that leverages viewshed analysis of georeferenced social media data. Using a high resolution LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) derived digital surface model, we are able to evaluate landscape characteristics associated with the visual- sensory qualities of outdoor recreationalists. Our results show the importance of historical monuments and attractions in addition to specific environmental features which are appreciated by the public. Evaluation of photo-image content highlights the opportunity of including temporally and spatially vari- able visual-sensory qualities in cultural ecosystem services (CES) evaluation like the sights, sounds and smells of wildlife and weather phenomena.

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Ecosystem Services Article

Source-reported bounding extent: 33.687781758439364° to 36.54494944148322° latitude; -79.65087890624999° to -75.30029296875° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Derek B. Van Berkel, Payam Tabrizian, Monica Dorning, Lindsey S. Smart, Doug Newcomb, Megan Mehaffey, Anne Neale, Ross K. Meentemeyer. 2018. Quantifying the visual-sensory landscape qualities that contribute to cultural ecosystem services using social media and LiDAR. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.03.022

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