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Value attached to relief

Relief increases the value attached to landscapes. The greatest height differences in the Netherlands are the most valued: the dunes, ice-pushed ridges (lateral moraines) and the hilly landscapes.

Current situation


In the predominantly flat landscape of the Netherlands, relief is valued - especially south Limburg, the Utrechtse Heuvelrug, the Veluwe, north-east Twente and the dunes. The much less pronounced relief of rolling sandy terrain is also appreciated, but less so.

The positive effect of relief on the value attached to landscape is apparent only in the absence of woodland; flat areas with much woodland or forest are assigned roughly the same value as relief-rich areas with much woodland or forest.

Technical note


Empirical research has revealed how Dutch people value relief. The results have been combined with data from the landscape ecology map of the occurrence of relief forms in the Netherlands, augmented with data on the occurrence of anthropogenic relief (dwelling mounds and garbage tips).

References


  • Kaplan, S. and R. Kaplan (1989). The experience of nature: a psychological perspective. Cambridge University Press. New York.
  • Maas, G.J., R.W. de Waal en H.P. Wolfert (1994). Landschapsecologische kartering van Nederland: geomorfologie; toelichting bij het databestand GEOMORF. Rapport 335 DLO-Staring Centrum / LKN-rapport 5. Wageningen.
This page was last changed on 01 April 2004  (version 01).