Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Literature Review and Prospects for Future Research
TL;DR: In this article, the authors conducted a semiquantitative review of publications explicitly dealing with cultural ecosystem services and identified five groups of publications: conceptual focus, conceptual focus deals with theoretical issues; Group 2, descriptive reviews, consists mostly of desktop studies; Group 3, localized outcomes, deals with case studies coming from different disciplines; Group 4, social and participatory, deals mainly with assessing preferences and perceptions; and Group 5, economic assessments, provides economic valuations.
Abstract: Cultural ecosystem services constitute a growing field of research that is characterized by an increasing number of publications from various academic disciplines. We conducted a semiquantitative review of publications explicitly dealing with cultural ecosystem services. Our aims were: (1) to provide an overview of the current state of research, (2) to classify the diversity of research approaches by identifying clusters of publications that address cultural ecosystem services in similar ways, and (3) to highlight some important challenges for the future of cultural ecosystem services research. We reviewed 107 publications and extracted 20 attributes describing their type and content, including methods, scales, drivers of change, and trade-offs between services. Using a cluster analysis on a subset of attributes we identified five groups of publications: Group 1, conceptual focus, deals with theoretical issues; Group 2, descriptive reviews, consists mostly of desktop studies; Group 3, localized outcomes, deals with case studies coming from different disciplines; Group 4, social and participatory, deals mainly with assessing preferences and perceptions; and Group 5, economic assessments, provides economic valuations. Emerging themes in cultural ecosystem services research relate to improving methods for cultural ecosystem services valuation, studying cultural ecosystem services in the context of ecosystem service bundles, and more clearly articulating policy implications. Based on our findings, we conclude that: (1) cultural ecosystem services are well placed as a tool to bridge gaps between different academic disciplines and research communities, (2) capitalizing on the societal relevance of cultural ecosystem services could help address real-world problems, and (3) cultural ecosystem services have the potential to foster new conceptual links between alternative logics relating to a variety of social and ecological issues.
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National University of Cordoba1, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ2, Leipzig University3, Indiana University4, United Nations5, University of the West Indies6, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology7, National Autonomous University of Mexico8, University of Minnesota9, University of Cambridge10, BirdLife International11, University of British Columbia12, National University of Río Negro13, Chiba University14, National Institute for Environmental Studies15, Michigan State University16, United Nations University17, International Institute of Minnesota18, Stellenbosch University19, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation20, Simón Bolívar University21, Hungarian Academy of Sciences22, University of Queensland23, Duke University24, Imperial College London25, Natural History Museum26, University of the West of England27, Stockholm University28, Clark University29, University of Cape Town30, IFREMER31, Radboud University Nijmegen32, George Mason University33, University of Oxford34, Royal Botanic Gardens35, University of the Philippines Diliman36
TL;DR: The first integrated global-scale intergovernmental assessment of the status, trends, and future of the links between people and nature provides an unprecedented picture of the extent of the authors' mutual dependence, the breadth and depth of the ongoing and impending crisis, and the interconnectedness among sectors and regions.
Abstract: The human impact on life on Earth has increased sharply since the 1970s, driven by the demands of a growing population with rising average per capita income. Nature is currently supplying more materials than ever before, but this has come at the high cost of unprecedented global declines in the extent and integrity of ecosystems, distinctness of local ecological communities, abundance and number of wild species, and the number of local domesticated varieties. Such changes reduce vital benefits that people receive from nature and threaten the quality of life of future generations. Both the benefits of an expanding economy and the costs of reducing nature's benefits are unequally distributed. The fabric of life on which we all depend-nature and its contributions to people-is unravelling rapidly. Despite the severity of the threats and lack of enough progress in tackling them to date, opportunities exist to change future trajectories through transformative action. Such action must begin immediately, however, and address the root economic, social, and technological causes of nature's deterioration.
913 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a review examines 219 publications to provide an overview of the current state of research on the relationship between humans and urban green spaces, group the different research approaches by identifying the main research areas, methods, and target groups, and highlight important future prospects in urban green space research.
472 citations
TL;DR: A review of forest ecosystem services including biomass production, habitat provisioning services, pollination, seed dispersal, resistance to wind storms, fire regulation and mitigation, pest regulation of native and invading insects, carbon sequestration, and cultural ecosystem services, in relation to forest type, structure and diversity is provided in this article.
Abstract: Forests are critical habitats for biodiversity and they are also essential for the provision of a wide range of ecosystem services that are important to human well-being. There is increasing evidence that biodiversity contributes to forest ecosystem functioning and the provision of ecosystem services. Here we provide a review of forest ecosystem services including biomass production, habitat provisioning services, pollination, seed dispersal, resistance to wind storms, fire regulation and mitigation, pest regulation of native and invading insects, carbon sequestration, and cultural ecosystem services, in relation to forest type, structure and diversity. We also consider relationships between forest biodiversity and multifunctionality, and trade-offs among ecosystem services. We compare the concepts of ecosystem processes, functions and services to clarify their definitions. Our review of published studies indicates a lack of empirical studies that establish quantitative and causal relationships between forest biodiversity and many important ecosystem services. The literature is highly skewed; studies on provisioning of nutrition and energy, and on cultural services, delivered by mixed-species forests are under-represented. Planted forests offer ample opportunity for optimising their composition and diversity because replanting after harvesting is a recurring process. Planting mixed-species forests should be given more consideration as they are likely to provide a wider range of ecosystem services within the forest and for adjacent land uses. This review also serves as the introduction to this special issue of Biodiversity and Conservation on various aspects of forest biodiversity and ecosystem services.
435 citations
Cites background from "Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Lite..."
...These frameworks can ‘‘foster new conceptual links between alternative logics’’ (i.e., alternative belief systems) ‘‘relating to a variety of social and ecological issues’’ (Milcu et al. 2013)....
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..., alternative belief systems) ‘‘relating to a variety of social and ecological issues’’ (Milcu et al. 2013)....
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors explore the theoretical challenges arising from efforts to understand ecosystems as objects of cultural concern and consider the operational complexities associated with understanding how, and with what consequences, knowledge about cultural ecosystem services are created, communicated and accounted for in real world decision making.
Abstract: The construction of culture as a class of ecosystem service presents a significant test of the holistic ambitions of an ecosystems approach to decision making. In this paper we explore the theoretical challenges arising from efforts to understand ecosystems as objects of cultural concern and consider the operational complexities associated with understanding how, and with what consequences, knowledge about cultural ecosystem services are created, communicated and accounted for in real world decision making. We specifically forward and develop a conceptual framework for understanding cultural ecosystem services and related benefits in terms of the environmental spaces and cultural practices that arise from interactions between humans and ecosystems. The types of knowledge, and approaches to knowledge production, presumed by this relational, non-linear and place-based perspective on cultural ecosystem services are discussed and reviewed. The framework not only helps navigate more fully the challenge of operationalising ‘cultural ecosystem services’ but points to a more relational understanding of the ecosystem services framework as a whole. Extending and refining understanding through more ambitious engagements in interdisciplinarity remains important.
415 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a review of public participation GIS and participatory GIS (PGIS) approaches for ecosystem services to identify current and best practice has been conducted to evaluate the methods to identify best practice.
Abstract: We review public participation GIS (PPGIS) and participatory GIS (PGIS) approaches for ecosystem services to identify current and best practice. PPGIS/PGIS are spatially explicit methods that have evolved over the past decade to identify a range of ecosystem services. Although PPGIS/PGIS methods demonstrate high potential for the identification of ecosystem services, especially cultural services, there has been no review to evaluate the methods to identify best practice. Through examination of peer-reviewed, empirical PPGIS/PGIS studies, we describe the types of ecosystem services mapped, the spatial mapping methods, the sampling approaches and range of participants, the types of spatial analyses performed, and the methodological trade-offs associated with each PPGIS/PGIS mapping approach. We found that multiple methods were implemented in nearly 30 case studies worldwide with the mapping of cultural and provisioning services being most common. There was little evidence that mapped ecosystem data was used for actual decision support in land use planning. Best practice has yet to coalesce in this field that has been dominated by methodological pluralism and case study research. We suggest greater use of experimental design and long-term case studies where the influence of mapped ecosystem services on land use decisions can be assessed.
381 citations
Cites background from "Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Lite..."
...Several of these studies were also identified by Milcu et al. (2013) as comprising a cluster of social and participatory research methods....
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References
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors have estimated the current economic value of 17 ecosystem services for 16 biomes, based on published studies and a few original calculations, for the entire biosphere, the value (most of which is outside the market) is estimated to be in the range of US$16-54 trillion (10^(12)) per year, with an average of US $33 trillion per year.
Abstract: The services of ecological systems and the natural capital stocks that produce them are critical to the functioning of the Earth's life-support system. They contribute to human welfare, both directly and indirectly, and therefore represent part of the total economic value of the planet. We have estimated the current economic value of 17 ecosystem services for 16 biomes, based on published studies and a few original calculations. For the entire biosphere, the value (most of which is outside the market) is estimated to be in the range of US$16-54 trillion (10^(12)) per year, with an average of US$33 trillion per year. Because of the nature of the uncertainties, this must be considered a minimum estimate. Global gross national product total is around US$18 trillion per year.
18,139 citations
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01 Jan 1974
TL;DR: This fourth edition of the highly successful Cluster Analysis represents a thorough revision of the third edition and covers new and developing areas such as classification likelihood and neural networks for clustering.
Abstract: Cluster analysis comprises a range of methods for classifying multivariate data into subgroups. By organising multivariate data into such subgroups, clustering can help reveal the characteristics of any structure or patterns present. These techniques are applicable in a wide range of areas such as medicine, psychology and market research. This fourth edition of the highly successful Cluster Analysis represents a thorough revision of the third edition and covers new and developing areas such as classification likelihood and neural networks for clustering. Real life examples are used throughout to demonstrate the application of the theory, and figures are used extensively to illustrate graphical techniques. The book is comprehensive yet relatively non-mathematical, focusing on the practical aspects of cluster analysis.
9,857 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a conceptual framework and typology for describing, classifying and valuing ecosystem functions, goods and services in a clear and consistent manner is presented. And a classification is given for the fullest possible range of 23 ecosystem functions.
4,081 citations
"Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Lite..." refers background in this paper
...…services and referred to variously as cultural services (Constanza 1997), life-fulfilling functions (Daily 1999), information functions (de Groot et al. 2002), amenities and fulfillment (Boyd and Banzhaf 2007), cultural and amenity services (de Groot et al. 2010, Kumar 2010), or…...
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TL;DR: In this article, the authors provide an overview of the challenges involved in applying ecosystem service assessment and valuation to environmental management and discuss some solutions to come to a comprehensive and practical framework.
2,840 citations
"Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Lite..." refers background or methods in this paper
...Although recreation and ecotourism are routinely considered as cultural ecosystem services (e.g., de Groot et al. 2010), some authors have argued that they should instead be classified as provisioning services (Abson and Termansen 2011), especially for communities strictly dependent on these…...
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...For example, the ease of accessibility is a crucial factor typically included in the monetization of recreational services (de Groot et al. 2010, Lautenbach et al. 2011)....
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...Yes/No de Groot et al. 2010 Yes 13 Method for economic valuation applied or discussed in relation to CES † Contingent valuation Market price and cost approaches Travel cost method Hedonic pricing Benefits transfer Choice experiment Deliberative valuation de Groot et al. 2010 No 14 Does the paper…...
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...…to variously as cultural services (Constanza 1997), life-fulfilling functions (Daily 1999), information functions (de Groot et al. 2002), amenities and fulfillment (Boyd and Banzhaf 2007), cultural and amenity services (de Groot et al. 2010, Kumar 2010), or sociocultural fulfillment (Wallace 2007)....
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...…for economic valuation applied or discussed in relation to CES † Contingent valuation Market price and cost approaches Travel cost method Hedonic pricing Benefits transfer Choice experiment Deliberative valuation de Groot et al. 2010 No 14 Does the paper argue for a non-economic valuation of CES?...
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TL;DR: The concept of ecosystem services has become an important model for linking the functioning of ecosystems to human welfare Understanding this link is critical for a wide-range of decision-making contexts.
2,679 citations
"Cultural Ecosystem Services: A Lite..." refers background in this paper
...Cultural ecosystem services are frequently dependent on intermediate ecosystem services (Fisher et al. 2009, Johnston and Russell 2011), and cultural benefits derive from final cultural ecosystem services combined with other forms of capital (Chan et al. 2011, Constanza et al. 2011)....
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