本研究再次檢驗源自於演化理論 (evolutionary theory) 由Balling與Falk (1982) 所提出的「稀樹草原假說」(savanna hypothesis)，其主張：草原在景觀美質、偏好或復癒反應 (restoration) 上，應該都是最能激發人類正面反應的生物區(biome) 之一。然而，本研究收集了274位大學生對六大生物區的48張幻燈片的反應資料，並且將生物區中所呈現的複雜度 (complexity)、空曠度 (openness) 及水體納入控制，進行了40項變異數分析 (ANOVA) 與事後比較，結果發現：實驗對象對針葉林與凍原有最正面的反應 (高景觀美質、偏好與復癒)，對沙漠與草原有最負面的反應 (低景觀美質、偏好與復癒)。此項發現不支持歷史久遠的「稀樹草原假說」，然似乎較為支持同樣源自於演化理論，但較為近代的「森林假說」(forest hypothesis) (Andrews, 1989)。而最能激發人類正面反應的生物區，呈現出高度的複雜度、中度的空曠度、以及出現水體等特徵。準此，非特定棲息地觀點似乎更為適合演化論的景觀美質研究。在探索人類對自然環境反應的研究上，如若能結合多種的學說與觀點，例如演化、文化、資訊、展望－庇護等，或許能提出較完滿的解答。此外，筆者也期望藉由環境心理學以及古地理學的相互驗證，能對景觀美學、棲息地選擇理論、人類演化有更全面、更正確的理解。

This study re-tested the hypothesis that savanna is one of the most favored biomes in terms of scenic beauty, preference, or restoration, according to Balling and Falk’s (1982) notion derived from evolutionary theory. However, 40 ANOVA tests and numerous post-hoc comparisons using 274 college students’ data on the reactions to 48 controlled biome slides with respect to complexity, openness, and presence of water body concluded that coniferous forest and tundra were the most favored biomes (high scenic beauty, preference, and restoration), while desert and grassland were the least favored (low scenic beauty, preference, and restoration). These findings appeared to support the forest hypothesis (Andrews, 1989) rather than the long-held savanna hypothesis. The most preferred biomes were characterized by moderate to high levels of complexity, moderate openness, and the presence of water features. The approach of non-habitat-specific to landscape aesthetics appears to be more flexible than the approach of habitat-specific. An approach that integrates multiple perspectives, such as evolutionary, cultural, informational, and prospect-refuge seems to hold the most promise for understanding human responses to natural environments. The author also hopes that future studies can combine environmental psychology and palaeogeography, two fields complementing each other, in order to contribute to a more comprehensive picture of landscape aesthetics, habitat selection, and human evolution.