Combining sense of place theory with the ecosystem services concept: empirical insights and reflections from a participatory mapping study

Abstract Context River landscapes represent hotspots for biodiversity and ecosystem services used and embraced by human agents. Changes in river landscapes are subjectively perceived by people and can be assessed through the lenses of cultural ecosystem services (CES) and sense of place (SOP). Objectives This study aims to assess people–place relationships in a river landscape by integrating SOP theory and the CES concept and critically reflecting on their interplay. Research objectives relate to meanings and attachments attributed by citizens to places and the influence of the physical environment and socioeconomic settings. Methods We employed a spatially meaningful place indicator in a public participation GIS survey, combining meanings elucidated through a free listing exercise and multiple-choice questions. Statistical analyses were employed to investigate relationships between meanings, place attachment, and environmental and social variables. Results The results showed that (1) place meaning assessments can complement place attachment data by enhancing the understanding of relationships to biophysical and socioeconomic variables, and (2) combinations of both assessment approaches for place meanings showed that CESs were reflected in many free listed meaning types, dominantly related to forms or practices, but neglect relational values, such as “Heimat” (i.e., in German expression of the long-standing connection to an area) or memories. Conclusions This paper explicates synergies between SOP theory and CES concept. CES research offers insights from spatial assessments, while SOP research provides theoretical depth regarding relational values linked to CES. This paper critically reflects the ostensible consent of understanding SOP as a CES and proposes considering SOP as an overarching theory for CES assessment.

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A Sense of Place in Cultural Ecosystem Services: The Case of Cornish Fishing Communities

Society & Natural Resources ◽

10.1080/08941920.2013.820811 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

pp. 3-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 48

Author(s):

Julie Urquhart ◽

Tim Acott

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Sense Of Place ◽

Fishing Communities ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services

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Participatory Mapping of Cultural Ecosystem Services in Madrid: Insights for Landscape Planning

Land ◽

10.3390/land9080244 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 244 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Víctor García-Díez ◽

Marina García-Llorente ◽

José A. González

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Protected Areas ◽

Sense Of Place ◽

Land Use Planning ◽

Outdoor Recreation ◽

Landscape Planning ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Participatory Gis ◽

Aesthetic Enjoyment

Cultural ecosystem services are gaining increasing attention in the scientific literature, despite the conceptual and methodological difficulties associated with their assessment. We used a participatory GIS method to map and assess three cultural ecosystem services, namely, (a) outdoor recreation, (b) aesthetic enjoyment, and (c) sense of place, in the Madrid region (Spain). The main goal of the study was to identify cultural ecosystem service hotspots in the region and to explore the relationships among the three ecosystem services mapped. We developed a Maptionnaire online questionnaire asking participants to locate places that they associate with these three ecosystem services and their main reasons for choosing those places on a map. We collected 580 complete questionnaires with 1710 location points (807 for outdoor recreation, 506 for aesthetic enjoyment and 397 for sense of place). We found that the three ecosystem services analysed were spatially correlated, with similar hotspots appearing across the region. Most of the identified hotspots were located in the northern part of the region, which is characterised by mountains and forests. Other hotspots appeared within the city of Madrid, highlighting the importance of urban green areas. Natural protected areas supplied significantly more cultural ecosystem services than non-protected areas. Among CORINE land-use types, forested areas, mountain shrubs and rocky landscapes were more relevant than arable lands for the supply of cultural ecosystem services. Our results highlight the utmost importance of including ecosystem services mapping within land-use planning and policy-making agendas to ensure the conservation of areas supplying cultural services that are critical for societal wellbeing.

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Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)

Forests ◽

10.3390/f11080876 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 876

Author(s):

Silvija Krajter Ostoić ◽

Ana Marija Marin ◽

Martina Kičić ◽

Dijana Vuletić

Keyword(s):

Ecosystem Services ◽

Urban Areas ◽

Place Attachment ◽

Green Space ◽

Urban Green Space ◽

Green Spaces ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Urban Green ◽

Urban Green Spaces ◽

Different Types

Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.

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Place attachment and perceptions of land-use change: cultural ecosystem services impacts of eucalyptus plantation expansion in Ubajay, Entre Ríos, Argentina

Ecology and Society ◽

10.5751/es-12870-260444 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 26 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Theresa Selfa ◽

Victoria Marini ◽

Jesse B. Abrams

Keyword(s):

Land Use ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Land Use Change ◽

Place Attachment ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Eucalyptus Plantation

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Influence of cultural contexts on the appreciation of different cultural ecosystem services based on social network analysis

One Ecosystem ◽

10.3897/oneeco.4.e33368 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Francisca Kilonzi ◽

Takahiro Ota

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Ecosystem Services ◽

Social Network Analysis ◽

Network Analysis ◽

Information Exchange ◽

Cultural Ecosystem Services ◽

Intergovernmental Panel ◽

Cultural Contexts ◽

Relational Values ◽

Behavioural Aspects

Since the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, ecosystem science domain has made tremendous progress in the study of ecosystem services, but debates on neglected cultural ecosystem services (CES) have persisted. A recent approach established by the Intergovernmental Panel for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) identifies and advocates incorporation of the CES through the role of local knowledge across other ecosystem services. However, approaches and tools that enable engagement of CES are limited. In this study, we examine how cultural contexts influence the appreciation of different CES, by identifying the behavioural aspects and the indigenous knowledge that has evolved on the basis of Social Network Analysis (SNA). SNA measures the network of relations between people and groups developed traditionally for a long time and their relational values with natural resources and ecosystem services. Through a comprehensive literature review of scholarly research published in Scopus data base, this study explicitly illustrates the interrelationship between SNA and CES. Keywords associated with SNA and cultural ecosystem services including forests, fisheries and agriculture (farming) were used. It was found that various aspects of social network uphold relational values of cultural importance and enhance resilience in groups amidst the social changes and times as societies progress. For instance, in the case of homophily, actors who are attracted to one another chose to interact in their defined network (e.g. fishing network) forming a strong social capital. Consequently, they shared similar beliefs and values that were eventually handed to the next generation of the network which shaped their heritage and identity. Social learning networks in various communities were also found to play a key role in information exchange and knowledge sharing among members compared to information from foreign technical experts. To fully integrate CES into sustainable decision making, this review suggests incorporation of the analysis of social networks formed in different cultural contexts globally.

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