Developing a framework for characterizing recreational potential of forest areas using weighted criteria analysis
2019
Jurmalis, E., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia) | Libiete, Z., Latvian State Forest Research Inst. Silava, Salaspils (Latvia)
Forests offer a wide variety of ecosystem services, including cultural or recreational services. In that sense, state-owned forest lands hold the biggest responsibility to acknowledge and provide these services, where it is economically and ecologically viable. Suitability analysis has been extensively used to provide information on species conservation measures, and it is possible to apply similar techniques for potential supply of recreational services. A simple weighted overlay analysis was conducted to locate forest land areas most suitable for potential recreational activities. Several criteria were selected for the analysis, including forest stand parameters such as forest stand age, forest stand type and species, topographical diversity and remoteness. Basis for the weighting of the selected criteria were obtained from the social surveys, previous research work done in Latvia and the Baltics, and European scale scientific data on recreation preferences. The analysis showed that 20% of the total model area analysed provide substantially high recreation potential. Furthermore, these preliminary data can be used for surveying and facilitating community involvement processes. Local tourism and nature leisure activities can be promoted by exploring possibilities of alternative forestry planning options, utilizing such multifunctional assessments of recreational supply.
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