Applying Analysis - Part 2

The second half of the analysis uses an approach by Ribe, Armstrong, and Gobster (2002) that visualizes and tests the "Role of Visual Resources in Ecosystem Management".  They introduce a “Visual Management System (VMS) to assign a visual quality objective (VQO) to every area of land, setting a level of scenic protection” (pg. 44). The authors explain that the VMS procedures establish visual landscape protection and mitigate impacts to meet VQO design standards for projects that affect scenery, like vista clearing. 

Even though the original approach was broken down into three phases, I decided to apply the second phase first.  Phase 2 analysis picks up right where my first part of analysis stops.

Phase 2 evaluated the scenic qualities and  rate the scenic beauty of the view.  Although this phase originally incorporated the public's opinion, I argue that the vista's scenic beauty can be rated solely by Park staff.  Most of my initial observations of each vista were completed in the first part of my analysis.  While observing I noted general locations of each vista and the frequency in which they were visited.  I also rated the scenic qualities and features (trees, peaks, ridges, valleys, water bodies, etc.) and unique cultural and natural character associated with each view.  Each vista was or will be rated by the criteria listed above and then categorized into groups. Vistas in Group "A" given priority, followed by vistas in Group "B" and "C".   

Example of a Group A Vista - Clingmans Dome Parking Area

• Vistas in Group A shall include the most visited and influential vistas in the Park, such as the vistas along Newfound Gap Road, Clingmans Dome Road, and other primary roads, as well as those with handicap parking.  Some vistas on secondary roads have been included in the A category because they are the only vistas on a designated scenic route (Rich Mountain Road).

Example of a Group B Vista - Foothills Parkway East, Overlook #3

• Vistas in Group B shall include vistas on secondary roads and those that are used, but might only have seasonal views.

• Vistas in Group C shall include vistas that might not be visited as often or vistas on unpaved roads. (no Group C vistas have been determined at this time).

• I concluded that there are 34 Group "A" vistas, or those that offer the "most significant" views of the Park's iconic landscape. Complete lists of Group "B" and "C" vistas have yet to be determined.

Out of these 34 vistas, I have determined that the vistas along Newfound Gap Road offer the most complete picture of the Park's diverse topography and vegetation.  In my thesis I will examine the 8 "A" vistas along this corridor: Campbell Overlooks, Chimney Tops Overlook, Morton Overlook, Luftee Overlook, Newfound Gap Parking Area,  Swinging Bridges Overlooks, Webb Overlook, and History Exhibit Overlook.

Phase 1 addresses the “visualizing and modeling policy- induced change” (pg. 47).  In the original study, photographs were taken frequently to reveal the vista views and beyond.  For each photo a corresponding photo-simulation was produced to reveal the same scene in the future.  Fifteen scenes were selected to reveal a range in size and landscape appearance.  Each photo was listed by vista scale, distance zones (foreground/middleground/background), and the characteristics it was selected for. 

 In my approach, I have decided to use the photographs to reveal the current condition at each vista and what the vista may look like when different vegetation management techniques are used.  Each vegetation management technique removes a different amount of vegetation in order to reopen the view.  Because not all views can be returned to their former panoramic state due to development outside of the Park or environmental concerns, each vista will have to be evaluated individually to determine which management techniques are preferred.  The photographs of Campbell Overlook are an example:

Vista currently impacted by encroaching vegetation

Vista reopened using the "Windowing" or Conservative Option.  This option removes less than 50 percent of the encroaching vegetation and/or opens about 1/3rd of the original view.  The result is a framed view toward the most significant features.  Cyclic work may be more frequent to ensure adjacent vegetation to the clearing does not block the narrow view.

Vista reopened using the "Layering" or Moderate Option.  This option removes at least 50 percent of the encroaching vegetation and/or opens about 2/3rds of the original view.  The result is a layered view, revealing features and qualities in the foreground, middleground, and background, creating a layering.

Vista reopened using the "Clearing" or Canopy Cutting Option.  This option removes all of the encroaching vegetation and restores the panoramic view.  The result is an unobstructed vista that allows the observer to enjoy the iconic landscape from ridge line to the valley below, and all the features, focal points, and qualities in between.

 Phase 3 created “models to create changes in scenic beauty” (pg. 53).   The authors reveal that the focus of the photo analyses was to improve the “scenic beauty in pertinent vista views…where policy produced low beauty” (pg. 53).

In addition to these scenic protection measures, the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (NFMA) has been responsible for limiting the size of clearcuts, distributing them further apart, and creating “more naturally-appearing clearcut designs in more scenic and visually sensitive places” (pg. 44).  This means that vista management recommendations should only trim or remove the vegetation necessary to restore and frame the view.  The authors emphasize that “ecosystem management should change how scenic management plays out in the landscape, especially where scenic protection is at its weakest” (pg. 45).  This suggests that collaboration between new aesthetic policies and new public land management paradigms would present numerous opportunities to incorporate ecology with aesthetics.  The authors explain that the study “derived and analyzed scenic perceptions of one simulated, authentic pattern of landscape change to explore potential scenic impacts” (pg. 47).  This analysis helps researchers locate areas for potential harvesting and create cleared areas that mimic natural fire disturbance patterns. 

This paradigm shift calls for land management that will conserve scenic beauty but can still allow it to function as a balanced ecosystem.  Previous vista clearing efforts at Great Smoky Mountains National Park reopened the view, but offered little or no management solutions for keeping the vista open.