Ground Imagery and Environmental Perception: Using Photo-questionnaires to Evaluate River Management Strategies - Fluvial Remote Sensing for Science and Management - page 407

(a)

(b)

Figure 18.5 Preferences for riverscapes of the Roubion River. (a) Barplots of unattractive and preferred riverscapes. (b) Set of the
nine landscapes of the Roubion River. Reproduced with permission from Le Lay et al. (2006) Les enquetes de perception paysagere a
l'aide de photographies : choix methodologiques et exemples en milieu fluvial. In Septiemes Rencontres de Theo Quant a Besan¸on
du 26 au 28 janvier. Fig. 5, p. 10.

the abundance of sediments, particularly gravel. The
riverscape is perceived as deserted, barren, badly main-
tained, and disorderly. The local population preferred
photograph I. Participants pointed out four charac-
teristics: the abundance of flowing water, the green
and well-maintained vegetation that provides shade for
users, the presence of a sandy beach, and the feeling
of calmness. Photograph G represents a typical gorge

waterscape. Sixty-five percent of respondents appreciated
the dominant presence of rocks. Water was considered
to be vivid and clear. The scene was perceived to be
natural and wild. Participants evoked leisure activities,
such as bathing or simply sitting near the water. Pho-
tograph H benefits from a balance between grass, shrub
and trees, from the presence of calm and clear water, and
from the glimpse of the surrounding mountains. Such