Understanding social–ecological interdependence using ecosystem services perspective in Bhutan, Eastern Himalayas

Abstract

Abstract. Biophysical and economic values are often used to aid understanding of the complex interplay between ecosystems, their services, and human well-being, but community values are rarely considered. In a case study of Barshong gewog in Bhutan, we used mapping methods that involved (1) local knowledge and perceptions collected using participatory rural appraisal tools, (2) a household survey, and (3) geospatial inputs, to understand the linkages between human well-being and ecosystem services at the local level, as perceived by the community. The study identified three major ecosystems-forest, agriculture, and freshwater-that contribute highly to local livelihoods. Collectively, these ecosystems provide a wide range of goods and services, including 22 provisioning, 13 regulating, 4 supporting, and 6 cultural services. About 85% of the households depend directly upon provisioning ecosystem services for their livelihoods and income. The study also identified the importance of the ecosystems in terms of three value domainsecological, socioeconomic, and cultural.

Impact of land use land cover change on ecosystem services: a comparative analysis on observed data and people’s perception in Inle Lake, Myanmar

“…In the recent global trend, understanding the linkages between ES with human wellbeing are emerging and also becoming a priority research area (Cardinale et al 2011;Castro et al 2014;Chaudhary et al 2017;Ding et al 2017;Omrani et al 2017;Kandel et al 2018). The concept of ES has been considered as products of coupled and nested social-ecological systems and emphasized to be measured in the complex context of those socio-ecological systems (Balvanera et al 2006;Fisher et al 2009;MA 2005;Mace et al 2011;Bateman et al 2013;Reyers et al 2013;Scholes et al 2013).…”

Pengetahuan terhadap Perkhidmatan Ekosistem dan Sumbangannya kepada Kehidupan Komuniti di Kuala Sepetang, Perak

“…Justeru, salingkait hubungan alam sekitar dengan komuniti setempat terpancar melalui kehidupan penduduk Kuala Sepetang yang menitikberatkan peranan ekosistem dan hasil daripada perkhidmatan ekosistem dalam membantu mereka untuk menjalankan kehidupan harian. Angelsen et al (2011) dan Kandel et al (2018) mengatakan bahawa alam sekitar semula jadi memberi sumbangan besar kepada kehidupan manusia. Jadi, pemeliharaan dan pemuliharaan alam sekitar dan sumber semula jadi perlu diwujudkan dalam kalangan penduduk supaya dapat menjamin fungsi dan peranannya yang akan terus digunakan oleh generasi yang akan penggunaan sumber ekosistem semula jadi dari kawasan tasik adalah sangat kurang dalam lingkungan jarak yang terdekat berbanding sumber semula jadi yang lain.…”

Research Progress on Changes in Land Use and Land Cover in the Western Himalayas (India) and Effects on Ecosystem Services

“…There is a need for participatory approaches that consider all stakeholders (i.e., farmers, scientists, agricultural extension agents, and policymakers) and engage and inform local people about the status of ecosystems and the value of their services. There is also a need to develop processes for each local community regarding conservation and maintenance of ESS by recognizing their cultural values and beliefs, traditional knowledge systems, and organizational capacity in decision-making processes and by adopting a participatory and coordinated mixed governance model, which will compliment state-imposed policies, to ensure sustainability of ESS [108,109].…”