Naturally dead and downed wood in Norwegian boreal forests: public preferences and the effect of information

Abstract

This study investigated public aesthetic preferences regarding naturally occurring dead and downed wood in Norwegian boreal forests. In an Internet-based survey conducted in cooperation with a commercial polling company, 1082 respondents from south-eastern and middle Norway were asked to rate 24 photos of forest settings. All photos had been taken at a stand level in primary or lightly altered semi-natural forests, although this was not disclosed to the respondents. Survey participants showed a clearly greater preference for images of forests settings containing little or no visible dead or downed wood. Participants also rated photos of forest settings with the dead wood elements removed through digital manipulation substantially higher than otherwise identical non-manipulated photos. However, public aesthetic perception of dead wood in forest setting did appear to be influenced by their understanding of the ecological benefits dead wood provides to forest biodiversity. Photos shown with an accompanying text describing the ecology or natural history of forest scenes containing dead wood received significantly higher ratings than identical photos without accompanying text. Our results suggest that those involved in maintaining or increasing forest biodiversity by retaining standing and fallen dead wood also need to incorporate outreach efforts that educate the public about the ecological benefits of these forest elements.

Keywords:

• aesthetics
• conservation
• dead wood
• forest ecology
• primary forests
• recreation
• scenic values

Acknowledgements

The survey was financed by the Research Council of Norway. We would also like to thank consultant Haaken M. Christensen for help with collecting the data, two anonymous referees and Ph.D. Erik Stange, Norwegian Institute of Nature Research, for valuable comments.