The visual landscape as a resource and its integration in forestry activities. Reflections for boreal forests

Abstract The visual landscape is a part of the total landscape related to the aesthetics of the observed environment and the personal preferences of the observer. The visual landscape must be considered in landscape management and planning processes, in impact assessments and other activities such as biodiversity conservation and implementation of best practices in forestry. There are criteria that can be applied to avoid impacts and contribute to the conservation at the landscape scale for a given forest type. Mature and virgin boreal forests have characteristics that make them very important for the landscape quality, and they are necessary elements to preserve biodiversity. These forests are the type of forest that is most often destroyed and even today, their area in the boreal biome is shrinking due to clear cuts and forest fires. Preserving and managing these forests in a sustainable way is urgent as they are key elements in the landscape of boreal areas. Fortunately, there is knowledge and previous experiences that make it possible to create and manage complex forest environments from simplified forest structures, and that are economically profitable and present attributes of old-growth forest.