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Why:
Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are often the most challenging aspects of ecosystem assessments due to inconsistencies in terminology, conceptual frameworks, methodology and approach to measurement. This project will develop new approaches and evidence for assessing cultural ecosystem services and provide insights on how cultural ecosystem services can be integrated into decision making.
What:
Aim:
To extend the theoretical, methodological and practical understanding of Cultural Ecosystem Services.
Summary:
The research will look at practical approaches for assessing CES, testing these in ‘live’ geographical contexts of policy and decision making. It will review existing GIS based datasets and their potential for providing indicators of different environmental qualities and attributes that are of relevance to assessing CES in different environmental settings. Case studies are also a central component of the work package. They are designed to be illustrative of different facets of accounting for CES in decision making and will involve new empirical research as well as synoptic accounts of existing work.
Outputs/outcomes:
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Output/outcome
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Status
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Opportunity for input
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Anticipated audience(s)
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A list of environmental settings that could be considered in local ecosystem assessments in the UK
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In preparation
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· NEA Peer review
· Ecosystem Knowledge Network event on cultural services in Exeter 1-2 July 2013
· Work package advisory board 15 July 2013
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Academic, conservation organizations, planners
environmental decision makers, local and national government, local communities
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A quantitative and qualitative evidence base used to justify the settings for which indicators are developed
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In preparation
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· NEA Peer review
· Ecosystem Knowledge Network event on cultural services in Exeter 1-2 July 2013
· Work package advisory board 15 July 2013
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Academic, conservation organizations, planners
environmental decision makers, local and national government, local communities
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The testing of how indicators of different qualities and attributes of environmental settings could be utilised within a GIS to inform understanding of ‘supply and demand relationships’ for CES
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In preparation
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· NEA Peer review
· Ecosystem Knowledge Network event on cultural services in Exeter 1-2 July 2013
· Work package advisory board 15 July 2013
|
Academic, conservation organizations, planners
environmental decision makers, local and national government, local communities
|
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A review of aggregate indicators that synthesise a range of landscape characterisations relevant to different types of environmental setting and the scope for tracking change in key variables over time
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In preparation
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· NEA Peer review
· Ecosystem Knowledge Network event on cultural services in Exeter 1-2 July 2013
· Work package advisory board 15 July 2013
|
Academic, conservation organizations, planners
environmental decision makers, local and national government, local communities
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Methods/tools being developed:
Ecosystem service indicators
Anticipated Case Studies:
There are three types of case studies:
Major case studies
o Assessment of the strategic rationale behind use of the NIA suggested indicators for CES.
o Assessment of how NIAs (nationally) view these indicators: (plausibility/ utility/ practicability) and how these are being modified/ adapted
o Participatory GIS based cultural mapping exercise linking indicators, mapping and non-conversational media/genre
Small case studies investigating how particular environmental settings accrue cultural value and significance
o Lizard peninsula in Cornwall
o Jurassic Coastline in Dorset
o Between the moors - The Culm valley Devon
Tool kit analysis case studies involving qualitative and indicator based approaches to analyse cultural significance of particular settings
o The National Trust’s “Recharging the power of place”
o English Heritage’s “Knowing your place”
o Scottish Natural Heritage’s “Talking about our place”
o Northern Ireland recent Review of State of the Environment reporting
o Welsh Government State of the Environment indicators and related consultation?
Links to other Work packages:
WP1: Understanding of cultural values from NK assets (natural capital)
WP5: Collaboration on conceptual frameworks and case studies; Potential for including shared values in CES surveys?
WP6: Modeling how CES indicators would change under scenarios
WP9/WP10: Developing indicators for tools
WP9/WP10 : Strongest links
All WPs: Understanding of cultural values from natural capital assets
Team:
Principal Investigator:
Andrew Church (University of Brighton)
Research team members:
Roy Haines-Young, Catherine Leyshon & Marion Potschin (University of Nottingham)
Robert Fish, Cheryl Willis & Mike Winter (University of Exeter)
Susana Mourato (London School of Economics)
Neil Ravenscroft, Lee Stapleton (University of Brighton)
Alister Scott (Birmingham City University)
Current advisory board members:
Kai Chan (University of British Columbia)
Steve Daniels (University of Nottingham)
David Edwards, Jake Morris (Forestry Commission)
Mark Everard (Pundamilia Ltd.)
Linda Monckton (English Heritage)
Diana Mortimer (JNCC)
Michelle Parker (GreenSpace UK)
Ruth Waters (Natural England)
Resource allocated: £165,000