1,720,964 research outputs found
Forest and recreation – New functions of afforestation as seen in Denmark
No full textIn this chapter, attention will be paid to the recreational functions of forests. This is important, since green spaces affect human health in a positive direction. Forests are actually the prevalent leisure facility for Danes. The pattern of recreational use of forests by Danes is described. It is stated that people who live in close proximity to a green space use it frequently, whereas those who live further away do so less frequently in direct proportion to the distance involved. Data from other countries show similar results. It is recommended that the pattern of recreational use should be elaborated upon, i.e. who is visiting the forest (here: who is “the” Dane)? Do socio-economically advantaged people more often visit the forest because they live closer to the forest? Are exposed areas in the city located too far from the forest (green spaces) so that people living in these areas will not visit the forest (regularly)? The Danish Forest and Nature Agency has developed a checklist which contains guidelines for “good national afforestation”. These guidelines might be a good national strategy; but to what extent can these guidelines contribute to increase the number of potential visitors to the forest
New Perspectives on People and Forests
No full textThe aim of this book is to elucidate the role of forests as part of a landscape in the life of people. Most landscapes today are cultural landscapes that are influenced by human activity and that in turn have a profound effect on our understanding of and identification with a place. The book proposes that a better understanding of the bond between people and forests as integrated part of a landscape may be helpful in landscape planning, and may contribute to the discussion of changes in forest cover which has been motivated by land use changes, rural development and the global climate debate. To this end, people’s perception of forest landscapes, the reasons for different perceptions, and future perspectives are discussed
Forest Landscapes in Europe:visual characteristics and the role of arboriculture
No full textThe aim of this book is to elucidate the role of forests as part of a landscape in the life of people. Most landscapes today are cultural landscapes that are influenced by human activity and that in turn have a profound effect on our understanding of and identification with a place. The book proposes that a better understanding of the bond between people and forests as integrated part of a landscape may be helpful in landscape planning, and may contribute to the discussion of changes in forest cover which has been motivated by land use changes, rural development and the global climate debate. To this end, people’s perception of forest landscapes, the reasons for different perceptions, and future perspectives are discussed
Overcoming Physicophobia – Forests as the Sacred Source of Our Human Origins
No full textMany philosophers have written about the forests and their relation to human nature. The great modern philosopher and rationalist Rene Descartes saw the forest as a realm of chaos and disorder and, therefore, alien to the ordered, rational human being. In other words, we have a “psychophobia” attitude to the forest. Yet, he believed, Man can conquer the forest and make it in Man’s image. This in many ways symbolises the Enlightenment Project; imposing mankind’s rational faculties upon the world and making use of it as a resource. Yet other philosophers, of a more Romantic bent, see the forests from a very different perspective.
This chapter looks at the views of two such critics of modernity: Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Friedrich Nietzsche. While both acknowledged the value of reason as a human capacity, they also saw the importance of emotion and the spirit as part of our human make-up. Rather than “psychophobia”, we should appreciate our affinity to the forest, a “psychophilia”, which acts as an aid in connecting with human beings’ more passionate and spiritual side
Human-Forest Relationships:Redefining the role of forests in modern society for a sustainable culture
Full text linkThe relationship between forests and people goes back to the early development of civilisation. However, parallel with technical innovations and an increasing urbanisation of the society, an alienation from nature has taken plac
Human-Forest Relationships:Redefining the role of forests in modern society for a sustainable culture
Full text linkThe relationship between forests and people goes back to the early development of civilisation. However, parallel with technical innovations and an increasing urbanisation of the society, an alienation from nature has taken plac
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