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Ecological Aesthetics Perspective for Coastal Wetland Conservation

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Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 21))

Abstract

Ever increasing amounts of coastal wetlands are being destroyed; therefore, public participation in wetland conservation is important. Aesthetic preference provides a critical connection between humans and ecology that could greatly promote public awareness regarding conservation actions. The prospect-refuge theory and the preference matrix of the bioevolutionary hypothesis illustrate that aesthetic experience could drive landscape change, and pull with it ecological quality. Based on these concepts, a healthy coastal wetland with beautiful scenery might have high aesthetic value and generate positive emotional reactions that are preferred by people, thus encouraging them to venture further into such environments to explore. The comprehensive attributes of physical landscape and ecological function affect the aesthetics of coastal wetlands. In particular, 15 factors spread among four attributes influenced peoples’ perception of the aesthetic and ecological quality of coastal wetlands. Attribute 1, the quality of the waterbody, is a predominant influence on the health of coastal wetlands, which appearance of waterbody affects aesthetic value. Attribute 2, the natural water edge of coastal wetlands could maintain the health of the wetland well and ensure the quality of the ecotone, which is perceived naturalness and high aesthetic value. Attribute 3 is the quality of terrestrial plants, which affects the diversity of wetlands and benefit to protect the terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Visual penetration of terrestrial plants is the main influential attribute of aesthetic preference. Attribute 4, the overall landscape of wetlands, shows peoples’ attitudes toward wetlands, related to the quality and size of the wetland and the challenge of aesthetics.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Landscape Architecture, Chung Hua University, Taiwan, Republic of China

    LeeHsueh Lee

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  1. LeeHsueh Lee
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Correspondence to LeeHsueh Lee .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF), Fletcher, North Carolina, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

  2. Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF), Coconut Creek, Florida, USA

    Christopher Makowski

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Lee, L. (2017). Ecological Aesthetics Perspective for Coastal Wetland Conservation. In: Finkl, C., Makowski, C. (eds) Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation. Coastal Research Library, vol 21. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56179-0_15

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