Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing debate: a case study application on indicators and linkages

Abstract

Inadequacies in the indication of cultural ecosystem services (CES) are a hindrance in assessing their comprehensive impacts on human wellbeing. Similarly, uncertainties about the quantity and quality of CES, in real time and space, have hampered the ability of resource managers to precisely take responsive management actions. The aim of the study is to demonstrate, how CES indicators can be identified and qualified in order to link CES to human wellbeing, and to integrate them into the 'ecosystem services cascade' and the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) models. A case study methodology is applied at the Nairobi-Kiambu (Kenya) peri-urban area. Primary data on CES was collected in the case study through survey, field observations and matrix tables. Secondary data originates from literature analysis. Results show that the participatory identification of CES and human wellbeing indicators could improve their transparency and comprehensibility. The environmental policy formulation and implementation processes have been demonstrated. The tripartite framework of CES-human wellbeing-DPSIR has demonstrated more linkages and feedbacks than initially indicated in the cascade model. For policy formulation and implementation, appropriate communication of results is mandatory. This is illustrated by a terminology that enables the transfer of scientific messages to stakeholders, especially for the local people. The conclusion indicates the importance of consistency in qualifying CES and human wellbeing indicators even at this time of urgency to bridge the gaps existing in CES and human wellbeing research. Keywords:Indicator selection, Interviews, Kenya, DPSIR-framework, Human wellbeing Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing debate: a case study application on indicators and linkages LANDSCAPE ONLINE 50:1-27(2017) Highlights• Identifying and qualifying indicators of cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing.• Integrating cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing into the ecosystem services cascade and DPSIR models.• Closing loops and links between human wellbeing, policy formulation and policy implementation.• Simplifying inter-stakeholder communication without distorting the scientific message.• Case study application in Kenya.

Community Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and the Management of Mt. Marsabit Forest in Northern Kenya

“…For this study, the ES assessed were selected and adapted from existing studies by Cuni-Sanchez et al [22], Mogoi et al [39], and Wangai et al [40] on ES provided by forests in Kenya.…”

Conservation and indigenous cultures: learning from the Yanadi community in the Eastern Ghats, India

“…The complexities of assessing land use and cover are well researched, but limited work has been done on integrating CES within the framework. Participatory mapping provides one way to take a more grounded approach to the issue and one that is within the discourse of development, forest management, and land-cover assessment (Pascua et al 2017, Wangai et al 2017, Ridding et al 2018. However, there is a need for more research on the issue to be able to address discrepancies across scales and create standard measurement tools and a broader language for CES.…”

Unravelling the mechanisms linking cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing

“…When it comes to negative contributions, the constituents of human wellbeing that are most negatively affected by cultural ecosystem disservices and CES loss tend to be "mental health" and "certainty, sense of control and security" via apprehensive 14,40 and destructive [41][42][43] mechanisms (Figure 3).…”

“…When it comes to destructive mechanisms, the point of departure are the benefits that nature provides to many people through spiritually transcendental experiences which transform something from within 42,43 . These are closely linked with religion, places for customary rituals and worship 18 .…”