The impact of forestry, agriculture, and cattle grazing activities on the quality of landscape in a transect of southern Chile
The impact of forestry, agriculture, and cattle grazing activities on the quality of landscape in a transect of southern Chile
Authors
Muñoz Pedreros, Andrés
Larraín, Alberto
Larraín, Alberto
Authors
Date
2012-02-25
Datos de publicación:
Revista Chilena de Historia Natural, Vol. 75, N°4, 673-689, 2002
Keywords
Paisaje visual - Actividad silvoagropecuaria
Collections
Abstract
Este trabajo está centrado en el concepto de paisaje visual que considera la estética y la capacidad de percepción del paisaje de un observador como factores centrales. El paisaje en el sur de Chile se ha transformado en los últimos siglos, y en particular en las últimas décadas, producto de la actividad silvoagropecuaria, por lo que aquí evaluamos este paisaje en un transecto norte-sur de 587 km a lo largo de la ruta 5 Sur de Chile, en el tramo Cabrero (37º00'S, 72º23'O)- Puerto Montt (41º30'S, 72º50'O). Se establecieron Unidades de Paisaje (UP) que se cuantificaron y evaluaron empleando un método mixto con valoración directa de subjetividad representativa y análisis posterior indirecto, con análisis de componentes. Se analizaron 921 UP concluyéndose que las macrounidades más frecuentes fueron: obstrucciones visuales, vegetación nativa, cultivos agrícolas y plantaciones exóticas. El promedio general fue de 11,57 VP (Valor de Paisaje) (DE = 5,01), considerado como agradable en la escala de Fines. Las macrounidades de mayor valoración fueron vegetación nativa y cultivos agrícolas y las de menor evaluación fueron obstrucciones visuales y plantaciones exóticas. Se entrega información sobre frecuencia de macrounidades por sectores y valoración de 42 subunidades de paisaje, 22 UP y cuatro macrounidades. Se discuten las diferentes valoraciones y la evaluación histórica de los paisajes del sur de Chile. Esta evaluación podrá ser comparada con evaluaciones futuras para cuantificar las pérdidas (o ganancias) de paisaje, sus agentes de destrucción y sus medidas mitigantes.
This study is centered on the concept of "visual landscape", based upon two central factors, aesthetics and the observer´s capacity of perception of the landscape. The landscape in southern Chile has been transformed over the past centuries, and particularly in recent decades. This transformation is a product of forestry, agriculture and cattle grazing activities; this study attempts to evaluate the landscape quality in a north-south transect of 587 km, along Chile's 5 South highway extending from Cabrero to Puerto Montt. Landscape Units (Unidades de Paisaje, UP) were established, quantified and evaluated by a mixed method with direct valuation of the representative subjectivity and subsequent indirect analysis, with analysis of components. A total of 1,702 Landscape Units (UP) were analyzed, concluding that the most frequent macro-units are: Visual Obstruction, Native Vegetation, Agriculture Cultivation, and Artificial Plantations. The general average was 11.57 VP (SD = 5.01), considered acceptable in the Fines scale. The macro-units of highest value were: Native Vegetation and Agriculture Cultivation, and those with lowest value were: Visual Obstruction and Artificial Plantations. Information was compiled about the frequency of the macro-units per sector and the evaluation of 42 sub-units of landscape value, 22 Landscape Units (UP) and four macro-units. This paper discusses the different valuations, the historical evolution of landscapes in southern Chile, and alternative propositions of mitigation in Landscape Units of low evaluation. This evaluation may be compared with future evaluations in order to quantify losses (or gains) of landscape, its destructive agents and mitigating measures.
This study is centered on the concept of "visual landscape", based upon two central factors, aesthetics and the observer´s capacity of perception of the landscape. The landscape in southern Chile has been transformed over the past centuries, and particularly in recent decades. This transformation is a product of forestry, agriculture and cattle grazing activities; this study attempts to evaluate the landscape quality in a north-south transect of 587 km, along Chile's 5 South highway extending from Cabrero to Puerto Montt. Landscape Units (Unidades de Paisaje, UP) were established, quantified and evaluated by a mixed method with direct valuation of the representative subjectivity and subsequent indirect analysis, with analysis of components. A total of 1,702 Landscape Units (UP) were analyzed, concluding that the most frequent macro-units are: Visual Obstruction, Native Vegetation, Agriculture Cultivation, and Artificial Plantations. The general average was 11.57 VP (SD = 5.01), considered acceptable in the Fines scale. The macro-units of highest value were: Native Vegetation and Agriculture Cultivation, and those with lowest value were: Visual Obstruction and Artificial Plantations. Information was compiled about the frequency of the macro-units per sector and the evaluation of 42 sub-units of landscape value, 22 Landscape Units (UP) and four macro-units. This paper discusses the different valuations, the historical evolution of landscapes in southern Chile, and alternative propositions of mitigation in Landscape Units of low evaluation. This evaluation may be compared with future evaluations in order to quantify losses (or gains) of landscape, its destructive agents and mitigating measures.