Revealing visual–ecological interaction through three-dimensional spatial characteristics: a point cloud approach

Human preferences for landscapes are closely tied to ecological functionality, with visual attributes such as coherence, openness, and complexity often corresponding to ecological processes like habitat connectivity, structural diversity, and species richness. Spatial characteristics, as the shared structural basis underlying both perceptual and ecological qualities, offer a critical yet underexplored lens for understanding this alignment. Although research in different fields recognizes the interplay between visual and ecological dimensions, existing studies typically assess them separately, relying on fragmented indicators derived from two-dimensional land cover data or subjective visual surveys. To address this gap, the present study investigates how shared spatial characteristics shape both ecological integrity and visual perception through the use of high-resolution point cloud data. Grounded in established concepts of visual–ecological interactions, the study defines four spatial dimensions, naturalness, spaciousness, coherence, and complexity, using 3D-derived structural metrics. Sixty systematically sampled plots along Shenzhen Dasha River Greenway were analyzed using handheld LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scans, which were processed via voxelization, segmentation, and clustering to extract volumetric structure, vertical stratification, spatial arrangement, and morphological irregularity. The results reveal both synergies (e.g., in naturalness, coherence, and complexity) and divergences (notably in spaciousness) between visual and ecological domains, highlighting the nuanced role of spatial configuration in shaping multifunctional landscape quality. Compared with conventional 2D approaches, the point cloud–based method offers enhanced granularity, structural precision, and analytical depth. This study contributes a replicable methodological framework and provides practical insights for landscape design strategies that seek to align visual appeal with ecological functionality through spatial form.