Investigating the values of coastal landscapes on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland

Abstract

Coastal landscapes have potential values for tourism development and community sustainability. Values may be perceived differently by multiple stakeholders, causing conflicting development priorities. Understanding values is fundamental to effective resource governance. This study investigated coastal landscape values on the Burin Peninsula of Newfoundland using a systematic landscape inventory and a photograph-based survey. Landscape preferences and values were surveyed for residents, visitors, and people who never visited the region. Results show consensus on preferences, with the most preferred landscapes being a scenic coastal islands landscape and a coastal community with traditional fishing infrastructure. Multiple values were assigned to local coastal landscapes with some differences observed between respondent groups, which may have been influenced by familiarity with the region. Information on non-resident landscape perceptions is applicable for sustainable tourism development, and resident landscape values suggest landscape should be recognized as a coastal resource that requires a focused resource governance approach.