Evaluation of Natural Environments

Abstract

My main concern in this report is to suggest a rapprochement with nature in which nature is respected but we people are not required to hate our presence on the planet. I define “natural environment” as any place where organisms exist in mutual relations that are free of direct management or other drastic human intervention; but presence or absence of people is not a criterion. Plant succession is a key concept for recognizing the vast number and variety of natural areas that are usually not considered natural simply because humans are nearby. With such an attitude, we are free to set up methods for evaluation that are realistic. Two broad categories of environmental traits important for human enjoyment are proposed. These are variety and accessibility. These categories are supported mainly by examples of exploratory evaluations of diverse bits of habitat in the United States, England, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia. Conventional methods are also discussed, and some descriptions of alternatives to these are presented, particular reference being made to the work of Luna Leopold² and Ian McHarg.³