Estimating visual perception of rural landscapes using GIS: the influence of vegetation. The case of Esla Valley (Spain)

Author: Julio Hernández ^*, Lorenzo García, Julia Morán, Andrés Juan and Francisco Ayuga

Received 10 September 2002, accepted 29 December 2002.

Abstract

The vegetation can be considered an important factor in landscape planning. Its effects ought to be analyzed in the landscape model. Some problems are detected in the modeling process. The vegetation is very extensive and irregular at the plot scale. In order to facilitate the manage of long series of data, the use of computer simulation tools can be a possibility. The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) constitute computer programs especially designed to enter, stock and represent territorial data. They are provided of user interfaces to make easy the relation with the computer. The powerful calculation module of GIS permits to implement programming routines to run commands automatically. The vegetation can be incorporated to Digital Elevation Model (DEM) of the terrain. Three-dimensional analysis of landscape's visual properties can be performed. It could be and useful tool to architects, planners and designers for landscaping activities.

Journal: Food, Agriculture and Environment (JFAE)
Online ISSN: 1459-0263
Year: 2003, Vol. 1, Issue 1, pages 139-141.
Publisher: WFL