Publications (FIS)

Combining sense of place theory with the ecosystem services concept

empirical insights and reflections from a participatory mapping study

authored by
Sarah Gottwald, Christian Albert, Nora Fagerholm
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.

Organisation(s)
Institute of Environmental Planning
External Organisation(s)
University of Turku
Type
Article
Journal
Landscape ecology
Volume
37
Pages
633-655
No. of pages
23
ISSN
0921-2973
Publication date
02.2022
Publication status
Published
Peer reviewed
Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas
Geography, Planning and Development, Ecology, Nature and Landscape Conservation
Electronic version(s)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-021-01362-z (Access: Open)