New technologies for the simulation and assessment of forest landscape change

Public perception of environmental quality is primarily visual, and forest operations, particularly logging, can have a significant negative impact on a visual amenity. In order to visualise landscape change and evaluate reaction to such change, graphic simulations can be produced with a range of technologies. Objective and dynamic, though abstract, models of the landscape can be produced using digital terrain modelling. Photorealistic, though static and subjective, impressions of landscape change can be produced employing digital image-editing software. Image-rendering technologies are available for reducing the abstract appearance of digital terrain models and for increasing the quality of viewer/ image interaction. Spatial analysis and image processing software facilitate quantitative measurement of visual impacts