Ecosystem Services: A Social and Semantic Network Analysis of Public Opinion on Twitter

Abstract

Social media data reveal patterns of knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of users on a range of topics. This study analysed 4398 tweets gathered between 17 January 2022 and 3 February 2022 related to ecosystem services, using the keyword and hashtag “ecosystem services”. The Microsoft Excel plugin, NodeXL was used for social and semantic network analysis. The results reveal a loosely dense network in which information is conveyed slowly, with homogeneous, medium-sized subgroups typical of the community cluster structure. Citizens, NGOs, and governmental administrations emerged as the main gatekeepers of information in the network. Various semantic themes emerged such as the protection of natural capital for the sustainable production of ecosystem services; nature-based solutions to protect human structures and wellbeing against natural hazards; socio-ecological systems as the interaction between human beings and the environment; focus on specific services such as the storage of atmospheric CO2 and the provision of food. In conclusion, the perception of social users of the role of ecosystem services can help policymakers and forest managers to outline and implement efficient forest management strategies and plans.

A Multicriteria Analysis to Support Natural Resource Governance. The Case of Chestnut Forests

“…In this regard, training activities for forest entrepreneurs, operators, and technicians seem to be a key factor in improving resource utilization and gaining competitive advantage. Considering the paired favourable factors, training activities should go beyond traditional technical skills to include the management and valorisation of non-market goods (i.e., ecosystem services) and related communication and marketing skills, in order to take advantage of the "raising civil society's awareness of ecosystem services" (Bruzzese et al, 2022a(Bruzzese et al, , 2022b This approach could, however, raise some feasibility issues that should be carefully considered. In particular, leveraging opportunities is often contingent on the availability of financial resources.…”

Urban Forest Tweeting: Social Media as More-Than-Human Communication in Tokyo’s Rinshinomori Park

“…Other publications complement this analysis by focusing on the content of the message, which can examine the appearance of certain keywords [45] or the feelings and emotions evoked in the tweets [46]. Besides the studies purely based on sentiment analysis [29], other works focus on the network generated by the messages [31], on their popularity, or on the engagement they foster [47]. This article grounds the exploration of urban forestry as more-than-human practice through the examination of the contents posted on the official Twitter account of Tokyo's Rinshinomori Park: @ParksRinsi.…”

“…For instance, this includes applying them to assess the risk posed by visitor pressure in protected areas [28], or to clarify user sentiment and characteristics in national parks [29]. Further research focuses on the evaluation of certain keywords to establish indicators of interest [30], to illuminate the main actors around specific topics [31], or to determine the popularity of species both endangered [32] and familiar [33]. Several studies have also explored the utility of Twitter as a tool for the identification and monitoring of both invasive [34] and endemic species [35].…”

A Framework Proposal for the Ex Post Evaluation of a Solution-Driven PES Scheme: The Case of Medvednica Nature Park

“…In the case of a solution-driven PES, the area can be identified by analysing its social interest, usage, and frequentation. In this respect, the use of sociometric methods such as site and social content analysis or social network analysis [56] can help identify the potential area [57,58].…”