457
interpretive learning programs were performed for protected species, the ecological
protection awareness increased 35% for that species even if the people did not consider it beautiful. When people agreed the species was beautiful, protection awareness approached 90%. A healthy ecological environment with beautiful scenery
might benefit conservation actions and sustainable management, and so on. Gobster
et al. (2007) also indicated that a beautiful and healthy ecological landscape aroused
positive emotions, which fueled a desire to protect such a landscape. Therefore,
ecological aesthetics not only are of fundamental importance for conservation, but
also a key factor in the success of conservation actions. Once a relationship between
ecology and the aesthetics of coastal wetlands has been established, the conservation efforts are more effective thereafter.
15.2 Landscape Aesthetic Preference and Ecological
Aesthetics
The aesthetic preference of a landscape is thought to be influenced by the bioevolutionary preference theory, a concept that explains aesthetic behavior from a survival
perspective. First, the prospect-refuge theory states that individuals and groups are
attracted to those environments that appear most favorable to live in. To see real
potential dangers or search for their needs, people should visually control their surroundings, and preferred locations are found at interfaces between prospectdominant and refuge-dominant areas (Appleton 1984, 1996). Landscapes that
appear most satisfying to humans are those that provide an ability to see (prospect)
without being seen (refuge) (Appleton 1984). The capacity of an environment for
such ensures immediate achievement of aesthetic satisfaction. Based on this hypothesis, a choice of landscapes is necessary for the survival and promotion of the wellbeing of humans. People inhabited these kinds of landscape and change them
implicit aesthetic preference of prospect-refuge theory also considers the influence
on landscape management. Therefore, aesthetic experience not only drove landscape change, but also influenced ecological quality (Fig. 15.1). This kind of landscape was described regarding certain characteristics, such as naturalness, coherence,
stewardship, and beauty.
In addition to evolutionary theory being an important concept of aesthetic preference environments, information-processing theory states that the arrangement of
content affects people’s aesthetic preference for environments (Kaplan et al. 1998;
Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). The content arrangement provides an understanding and
allows for exploration of an environment. Understanding provides a sense of security, as people feel distressed if they cannot comprehend a situation. People also
have a desire to explore the environment to obtain more information. Together,
understanding and exploration form the information preference matrix (Table 15.1)
(Kaplan and Kaplan 1989; Kaplan et al. 1998).
15 Ecological Aesthetics Perspective for Coastal Wetland Conservation
interpretive learning programs were performed for protected species, the ecological
protection awareness increased 35% for that species even if the people did not consider it beautiful. When people agreed the species was beautiful, protection awareness approached 90%. A healthy ecological environment with beautiful scenery
might benefit conservation actions and sustainable management, and so on. Gobster
et al. (2007) also indicated that a beautiful and healthy ecological landscape aroused
positive emotions, which fueled a desire to protect such a landscape. Therefore,
ecological aesthetics not only are of fundamental importance for conservation, but
also a key factor in the success of conservation actions. Once a relationship between
ecology and the aesthetics of coastal wetlands has been established, the conservation efforts are more effective thereafter.
15.2 Landscape Aesthetic Preference and Ecological
Aesthetics
The aesthetic preference of a landscape is thought to be influenced by the bioevolutionary preference theory, a concept that explains aesthetic behavior from a survival
perspective. First, the prospect-refuge theory states that individuals and groups are
attracted to those environments that appear most favorable to live in. To see real
potential dangers or search for their needs, people should visually control their surroundings, and preferred locations are found at interfaces between prospectdominant and refuge-dominant areas (Appleton 1984, 1996). Landscapes that
appear most satisfying to humans are those that provide an ability to see (prospect)
without being seen (refuge) (Appleton 1984). The capacity of an environment for
such ensures immediate achievement of aesthetic satisfaction. Based on this hypothesis, a choice of landscapes is necessary for the survival and promotion of the wellbeing of humans. People inhabited these kinds of landscape and change them
implicit aesthetic preference of prospect-refuge theory also considers the influence
on landscape management. Therefore, aesthetic experience not only drove landscape change, but also influenced ecological quality (Fig. 15.1). This kind of landscape was described regarding certain characteristics, such as naturalness, coherence,
stewardship, and beauty.
In addition to evolutionary theory being an important concept of aesthetic preference environments, information-processing theory states that the arrangement of
content affects people’s aesthetic preference for environments (Kaplan et al. 1998;
Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). The content arrangement provides an understanding and
allows for exploration of an environment. Understanding provides a sense of security, as people feel distressed if they cannot comprehend a situation. People also
have a desire to explore the environment to obtain more information. Together,
understanding and exploration form the information preference matrix (Table 15.1)
(Kaplan and Kaplan 1989; Kaplan et al. 1998).
15 Ecological Aesthetics Perspective for Coastal Wetland Conservation