Naturalidad percibida: efecto en la calidad escénica de un paisaje mediterráneo alterado de Chile central

This study analyses landscape preferences in the Andean foothills of Santiago, Chile, with the aim of understanding how visitors value its natural landscapes and the impact of perceived naturalness on these preferences. Using representative photographs of the four predominant landscape types, participants’ visual perceptions were evaluated. The results highlight the crucial role of vegetation in the valuation of foothill landscapes, as well as the positive effect of perceived naturalness in differentiating landscapes and influencing aesthetic preferences. Furthermore, the study underscores the usefulness of Kaplan's environmental preference model as a theoretical framework for interpreting aesthetic responses to the analysed landscapes. These findings emphasise the need to preserve landscapes with greater ecological integrity and provide valuable guidelines for designing management and conservation strategies in the central Mediterranean region of Chile.