Efectos de diferentes métodos de corta de bosque nativo en el paisaje

Abstract

This research consist on a public opinion study to find out, how three target groups - domestic tourists, foreign tourists and local communities- perceive different silvicultural methods of native forests. The analyzed logging systems are: uniform protection cuts, selective thinning, selective cuts, and protection cuts in strips. The studies were performed in three different regions: La Araucanía, Los Ríos and Magallanes. The overall objective of the study was to analyze the effects of the different cutting methods on the landscape and the social perception of these impacts. The general hypothesis is that sustainable interventions in native forests are not affecting significantly the landscape and may, even, be preferred to unlogged forests. The methodology consists of structured and semi -structured interviews, based on different sets of photographs of the different logging systems presented to, and evaluated by respondents. The total number of interviewed was 317 persons among domestic tourists, foreign tourists and local community members visiting protected areas. The selected sample has an error of 5.2 % at a confidence level of 95 %. In addition, an exploratory online survey was conducted with the same questions being addressed to general public represented by a random sample of 509 persons. Most respondents spoke favorably for the sustainable management of native forests, i.e. a balanced use and protection of forests. The results show that sustainable intervened native forests are equally or even more preferred landscapes that natural forests without intervention. Therefore, well-managed forests can be considered landscapes with scenic value, attractive for tourists.