Effects of past landscape changes on aesthetic landscape values in the European Alps

Understanding the consequences of land-use changes on aesthetic values associated with mountain landscapes is important for decision-making and landscape planning. While most research has been carried out at small scales disregarding changes, this study aims analysing in three time steps between 1950 2010 across European Alps. We first map scale selected municipalities using a spatially explicit modelling approach that relates people’s preferences visual characteristics. then transfer mean municipality level to compare space over time. Our results indicate heterogeneous spatial patterns values: Highest were located mainly central high-elevated Alps, while lowest occurred lower elevations intensive agriculture or dense settlement areas. Between 2010, generally decreased due agricultural activities, elevated areas being more affected than those higher elevations. abandonment summer pastures led homogeneous hence reduced an increase forest closing open patches, change from arable land other land-use/cover types had positive effects some low-elevated Such knowledge relationships may provide basis developing management strategies landscapes.