Objective  Developing a systematic understanding of landscape types and characters is a key prerequisite for the inheritance, continuity, protection and development of regional landscape. At present, the real issue in China that needs to be addressed urgently is the slow development of theoretical research and the low level of practical application. Due to the multidisciplinary nature of landscape research, there are different systems and methods for classifying and identifying landscape characters. In view of this, this research aims to clarify the main types of landscape character assessment (LCA) methods and their methodological features, goal orientation, classification system, application scope and practical utility, and further to reveal that the development of LCA methods can shed light on and contribute to the exploration of relevant indicator systems and landscape policy framework with Chinese characteristics.

Methods  This research conducts a systematic literature review and screens a collection of 57 literature in line with the review criteria from a total of 695 potentially relevant references published over the past 25 years. To find the essential characteristics of LCA methods, the research reviews the types and number of indicators used in the screened literature by statistical analysis, followed by a dataset analysis by the fuzzy cluster analysis method using the SPSS 20 software.

Results  The clustering results indicate that there are different preferences for certain aspects of landscape concept under different disciplinary roots. Four main assessment methods are identified in this research. 1) Holistic LCA approaches which focus on human perceptions of land and environment and the feelings, memories and associations they evoke. These methods try to identify the unique characters, values, and potential challenges of regional landscape through expert, intuitive and holistic interpretations of various aspects of the landscape during the assessment process. 2) Biophysical LCA approaches which define landscape as areas of patches or ecosystems where spatial interactions occur. They are used to capture the biodiversity potential of different landscape types by establishing a site-based framework, and to reveal the ecological functions and dynamic changes of landscape, as well as human impacts on landscape. 3) Visual LCA approaches which provide an integrated way of conceptualizing the environment and a useful spatial framework as well. These enable further reflection on issues related to a broad site and its use and development, so as to assess the significance of a certain landscape itself as an environmental resource and its impact on human visual comfort. 4) Historical LCA approaches which function by searching for vertical historical dimensions to establish a development framework for the governance of historical landscape covered by a multi-tiered scope of assessment. Through this framework, it is ensured that the unique historical value of regional landscape is preserved and continues to be passed on on the basis of sustainable development.

Conclusion  Although landscape is often viewed as a unified interdisciplinary concept, there are substantial differences between these four methods due to different concept connotations, analytical approaches adopted, and variable indicators selected. None of them can address all dimensions of landscape without making important tradeoffs. Meanwhile, the choice of methodology directly determines the applicability and effectiveness of the final assessment method in practical use. Therefore, it is necessary to consider a variety of assessment methods to build a landscape character assessment framework with Chinese characteristics, and thus achieve various assessment purposes and specific objectives. To base landscape research, planning and management on the realities of China, it is essential to test the relevance, accuracy and reliability of different assessment efforts in relation to China’s landscape policy outcomes and national land space planning system. And this will enable LCA to serve as an effective tool for sustainable development and land management, and for raising public awareness and guiding specific actions and decisions on landscape governance.