Aesthetic properties of geological heritage landscapes: Evidence from the Lagonaki Highland (Western Caucasus, Russia)

The Lagonaki Highland in the Western Caucasus, renowned for its ancient carbonate platform and diverse karst features, exhibits significant aesthetic attractiveness due to three key properties: openness, pattern, and uniqueness. These properties align with tourists' expectations of beauty, enhancing emotional satisfaction and adding value to the geological heritage landscape. The study employed field studies to assess these aesthetic properties, distinguishing between their local importance and appearance—whether positive or negative. This research highlights the interplay between geological features and human perception, offering insights crucial for sustainable tourism development in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Ruban, D. (2018). Aesthetic properties of geological heritage landscapes: Evidence from the Lagonaki Highland (Western Caucasus, Russia). ??????? ?????? ??????????? ????????? ?????? ??????? ????, 68(2), 289–296. https://doi.org/10.2298/ijgi1802289r