[pp.81-90]
Yoji AOKI (National Institute for Environmental Studies)
Abstract:
Photographs of a variety of vegetation were collected and selected from the Southern Japan Alps, where the highest diversity of vegetation in Japan can be found. The photographs were shown to mountain hikers and inhabitants from Hokkaido in the north to Okinawa in the south of Japan, and their response to the photographs was investigated according to degree of preference and the feeling of nature that each photo conveyed. The preferences and perceived naturalness on the egetation were obtained. The different attributes of the respondents significantly affected the results. As for the preference, mountain hikers liked alpine plants and areas inside deciduous forests. Wanderers preferred alpine deserts with little vegetation and dwarf stone pines (Pinus pumila), Betula ermanii, deciduous forests, and laurel forests. Plant-fanciers liked various types of vegetation. Mountain residents liked sugi (Cryptomeria Japonica)/ hinoki (Chamaecyparis obtusa) plantations and rice fields. emales liked peach fields. The elderly liked Betula ermanii and rice fields. On the other hand, the frequent visit to the South Japan Alps and the present residential vegetation affected their judgment with regard to the feeling of nature.
Key Word:
preference, naturalness, people’s attributes, South Japan Alps