Assessment and valuation of recreational ecosystem services of landscapes

authored by: Johannes Hermes, Derek Van Berkel, Benjamin Burkhard, Tobias Plieninger, Nora Fagerholm, Christina von Haaren, Christian Albert
Abstract: Recreational ecosystem services (RES), understood as the numerous benefits people obtain from landscapes and the natural environment, are a topical area of policy, research and society. This Editorial introduces the current state of RES research, provides an overview of the 21 contributions comprising this Special Issue of Ecosystem Services, and outlines opportunities for further research. This issue’s publications employ diverse methods for assessing and valuing RES at different scales in Europe and beyond. The papers present advancements in mapping and valuation, provide evidence for the contributions of biodiversity and landscapes to the generation of RES and human well-being, and shed light on distributional effects across different beneficiaries. Taken together, contributions emphasize that RES may be a prime vehicle for reconnecting people with nature with positive effects on societal well-being. The diversity of approaches currently applied in RES research reflects much creativity and new insights, for example by harnessing georeferenced social media data.
Future research should aim towards harmonizing datasets and methods to enhance comparability without compromising the need for context-specific adaptations. Finally, more research is needed on options for integrating RES information in decision making, planning and management in order to enhance actual uptake in public and private decisions.
Organisation(s): Institute of Environmental Planning
Institute of Physical Geography and Landscape Ecology
Physical Geography Group
External Organisation(s): U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
University of Göttingen
University of Kassel
University of Turku
Type: Editorial in journal
Journal: Ecosystem Services
Volume: 31
Pages: 289-295
No. of pages: 7
ISSN: 2212-0416
Publication date: 06.2018
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Global and Planetary Change, Geography, Planning and Development, Ecology, Agricultural and Biological Sciences (miscellaneous), Nature and Landscape Conservation, Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.04.011 (Access: Open)