Study on selection of native greening plants based on eye-tracking technology

Area of Science:

• Horticultural Science
• Environmental Psychology
• Plant Ecology

Background:

• Improving rural greening technology relies on selecting native plants for diverse landscapes.
• Quantitative studies on visual preferences for plant organs are limited.
• Understanding visual appeal is key to effective landscape design.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantitatively analyze visual preferences for native plant organs (leaves, flowers, fruits) in rural settings.
• To identify specific plant species, families, and organ characteristics that are visually preferred.
• To inform native plant selection for enhanced rural greening strategies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized eye-tracking technology with students and villagers as participants.
• Presented images of plant leaves, flowers, and fruits as stimuli.
• Analyzed fixation duration, fixation count, pupil size, and saccade amplitude.

Main Results:

• Leaves were preferred over flowers and fruits. Preferred species include Photinia × fraseri and Metasequoia glyptostroboides. Leaf shapes (aciculiform, strip) and textures (leather-like) significantly impacted preference. Purple flowers and medium-sized black fruits were most appealing.
• Distinct preferences were observed for leaf shapes, textures, flower inflorescences (capitulum, cymes), and colors (purple).
• Fruit characteristics like size (medium) and color (black), along with shapes (kidney, spoon), influenced visual attraction. Pomes and berries received more attention.

Conclusions:

• Visual preferences for native plants are quantifiable and vary significantly based on organ characteristics.
• Findings provide empirical data to guide the selection of visually appealing native plants for rural greening projects.
• Integrating visual preference data can optimize the effectiveness and aesthetic quality of rural plant landscapes.