Testing socio-cultural valuation methods of ecosystem services to explain land use preferences
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In: Ecosystem Services, Vol. 26, No. Part A, 01.08.2017, p. 270-288.
Research output: Journal contributions › Journal articles › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Testing socio-cultural valuation methods of ecosystem services to explain land use preferences
AU - Schmidt, Katja
AU - Walz, Ariane
AU - Martín-López, Berta
AU - Sachse, René
PY - 2017/8/1
Y1 - 2017/8/1
N2 - Socio-cultural valuation still emerges as a methodological field in ecosystem service (ES) research and until now lacks consistent formalisation and balanced application in ES assessments. In this study, we examine the explanatory value of ES values for land use preferences. We use 563 responses to a survey about the Pentland Hills regional park in Scotland. Specifically, we aim to (1) identify clusters of land use preferences by using a novel visualisation tool, (2) test if socio-cultural values of ESs or (3) user characteristics are linked with land use preferences, and (4) determine whether both socio-cultural values of ESs and user characteristics can predict land use preferences. Our results suggest that there are five groups of people with different land use preferences, ranging from forest and nature enthusiasts to traditionalists, multi-functionalists and recreation seekers. Rating and weighting of ESs and user characteristics were associated with different clusters. Neither socio-cultural values nor user characteristics were suitable predictors for land use preferences. While several studies have explored land use preferences by identifying socio-cultural values in the past, our findings imply that in this case study ES values inform about general perceptions but do not replace the assessment of land use preferences.
AB - Socio-cultural valuation still emerges as a methodological field in ecosystem service (ES) research and until now lacks consistent formalisation and balanced application in ES assessments. In this study, we examine the explanatory value of ES values for land use preferences. We use 563 responses to a survey about the Pentland Hills regional park in Scotland. Specifically, we aim to (1) identify clusters of land use preferences by using a novel visualisation tool, (2) test if socio-cultural values of ESs or (3) user characteristics are linked with land use preferences, and (4) determine whether both socio-cultural values of ESs and user characteristics can predict land use preferences. Our results suggest that there are five groups of people with different land use preferences, ranging from forest and nature enthusiasts to traditionalists, multi-functionalists and recreation seekers. Rating and weighting of ESs and user characteristics were associated with different clusters. Neither socio-cultural values nor user characteristics were suitable predictors for land use preferences. While several studies have explored land use preferences by identifying socio-cultural values in the past, our findings imply that in this case study ES values inform about general perceptions but do not replace the assessment of land use preferences.
KW - Landscape visualisation
KW - Non-monetary valuation
KW - Values
KW - Visitors
KW - Visualisation tool
KW - Sustainability Science
KW - Ecosystems Research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85024489590&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.07.001
DO - 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.07.001
M3 - Journal articles
C2 - 28804702
AN - SCOPUS:85024489590
VL - 26
SP - 270
EP - 288
JO - Ecosystem Services
JF - Ecosystem Services
SN - 2212-0416
IS - Part A
ER -