Challenges in visualizing forests and landscapes

Abstract

Landscape visualization is a useful tool in understanding forest dynamics and in assessing various management practices. However, the application of this technology remains very challenging. We propose criteria for landscape visualization so that users can judge the quality of the visualization. We also identify the challenges in developing visualizations and discuss the limitations and advantages of visualizations for basic and applied science in natural resource management. We believe that the combination of visualizations with traditional research methods will enable the decisionmaking process to become more convincing and reliable.