Visual value of rangeland landscapes: A study based on structural equation modeling

Understanding the visual value of landscapes is a key issue for environmental decision makers and planners because it is directly related to people's perceptions. In this study, the relationships of seven aesthetic criteria (vegetation composition, complexity, existential factor, coherence, stewardship, physiographic, and environmental factors) and 19 scenic aesthetic indicators with visual value of different rangeland landscapes were assessed. The visual value of different rangeland landscapes was assessed based on stakeholders and managers perceptions using photos and questionnaires. The results showed that existential factor, vegetation composition, and complexity were the most important factors for visual value assessment respectively. Structural equation modeling revealed that all criteria had significant direct impacts on visual value except for stewardship (p