Ecosystem Services and Residents’ Perceptions: Integrating and Innovating Across Disciplinary Perspectives

A special issue of Land (ISSN 2073-445X). This special issue belongs to the section "Landscape Ecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2025 | Viewed by 11571

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
School of Politics and Public Administration, Soochow University, Suzhou 215123, China
Interests: ecosystem services; land resources management; sustainability

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Guest Editor
Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958 Frederiksberg, Denmark
Interests: GIS technology; CAD; geodesign; accessibility; spatial modelling; communicative aspects of GIS; physical planning; recreational modelling and monitoring; models of human behaviour; way finding; didactic aspects of GIS
College of Resources and Environment, Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, Taiyuan 030006, China
Interests: ecosystem services; ecosystem management; remote sensing; GIS

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Guest Editor
College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
Interests: ecosystem services; landscape planning; socio-ecological system; green infrastructure; human wellebing
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As global environmental changes and socio-economic development progress, the study of ecosystem services (ESSs) has become a focal point across multiple disciplines such as environmental science, geography, urban planning, and social sciences. Ecosystem services, the contributions of ecosystems to human well-being, encompass provisioning, regulating, cultural, and supporting services. However, the value of ecosystem services depends not only on their biophysical attributes but also on the social, cultural, and economic contexts, particularly the perceptions and evaluations of these services by residents. Therefore, exploring the relationship between ecosystem services and resident perception is of great significance for promoting the sustainable management and utilization of ecosystem services.

This Special Issue aims to gather research from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to discuss the interplay between ecosystem services and residents’ perceptions, as well as how interdisciplinary approaches can foster the integration and innovation of ecosystem services. We particularly welcome submissions on the following topics:

  • Classification and assessment methods of ecosystem services, especially how to incorporate residents’ perceptions into the assessment of ecosystem services.
  • Residents’ perceptions and values of ecosystem services, including the impact of cultural differences, socio-economic status, and environmental changes on perception.
  • The relationship between ecosystem services and resident well-being, including the contributions of ecosystem services to health, quality of life, and community development.
  • The application of interdisciplinary methods in ecosystem service research, particularly how to integrate perspectives and methods from natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.
  • Resident participation in the management of and policy-making regarding ecosystem services, and how residents being involved can promote the sustainable use and protection of ecosystem services.
  • Case studies on the integration and innovation of urban and rural ecosystem services, especially in practice, to address global environmental challenges such as climate change, urbanization, and biodiversity loss.

We invite researchers worldwide to submit original research articles, review articles, and case studies to jointly explore the interdisciplinary integration and innovation of ecosystem services and resident perception. Through the publication of this Special Issue, we hope to provide new perspectives and methods for the research and practice of ecosystem services, promoting harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. We look forward to your contributions!

Prof. Dr. Qi Fu
Prof. Dr. Hans Skov-Petersen
Dr. Xu Bi
Dr. Kai Li
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • ecosystem service assessment
  • resident perception
  • cultural and socio-economic impacts
  • well-being and quality of life
  • interdisciplinary research
  • community participation
  • urban and rural ecosystems
  • climate change and biodiversity

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 6729 KiB  
Article
An Improved Quantitative Analysis Method for the Unequal Supply and Demand of Ecosystem Services and Hierarchical Governance Suggestions
by Quanyi Liu, Binbin Lu, Weikang Lin, Jiansong Li, Yixin Lu and Yansong Duan
Land 2025, 14(3), 528; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14030528 - 3 Mar 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 516
Abstract
Quantifying the unequal supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) is a prerequisite for hierarchical ecological governance decisions. However, previous studies have largely overlooked the scale effect of spatially adjacent units and the role of spatial compactness in shaping inequality. To address these [...] Read more.
Quantifying the unequal supply and demand of ecosystem services (ESs) is a prerequisite for hierarchical ecological governance decisions. However, previous studies have largely overlooked the scale effect of spatially adjacent units and the role of spatial compactness in shaping inequality. To address these research gaps, this study conducted a survey in six counties within the Danjiangkou Basin in China. By adopting a moving window-based local Gini coefficient method, we quantified the inequality in the supply and demand of ESs in this region, and introduced a refined coefficient of variation to measure spatial compactness, analyzing the impact of urbanization on this inequality. The results indicate that the inequality in the supply and demand of ESs in this region is gradually intensifying. However, from a local perspective, the inequality exhibits significant spatial heterogeneity, decreasing gradually from urban centers to suburbs and rural areas, while maintaining strong spatial continuity. Furthermore, we found that urbanization is the primary factor exacerbating this inequality, while compact urban development can mitigate it. The findings of this study can provide practical guidance for cross-county ecological coordination, ecological restoration, and sustainable urban development. Full article
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25 pages, 5446 KiB  
Article
Empirical Study on Emotional Perception and Restorative Effects of Suzhou Garden Landscapes: Text Mining and Statistical Analysis
by Zhenyu Zhang, Xiaomeng Wang and Mu Jiang
Land 2025, 14(1), 122; https://doi.org/10.3390/land14010122 - 9 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1057
Abstract
Suzhou classical gardens, as a unique form of urban green space in China, not only embody rich historical and cultural heritage but also showcase distinctive natural landscapes, exerting a profound impact on modern mental health. This study employs text mining and content analysis [...] Read more.
Suzhou classical gardens, as a unique form of urban green space in China, not only embody rich historical and cultural heritage but also showcase distinctive natural landscapes, exerting a profound impact on modern mental health. This study employs text mining and content analysis methods to qualitatively explore online comments about Suzhou Gardens, which were collected using the Octopus Collector program to mine public reviews from the travel review platform Ctrip. These online reviews were further combined with questionnaire survey data to quantitatively analyze public preferences among different gardens and their restorative experience characteristics. We utilized the ROST CM6 software for high-frequency word extraction, semantic network analysis, and sentiment analysis to reveal the emotional perceptions of the public towards these gardens. The sentiment analysis results indicate that a majority of online comments express positive emotions, frequently mentioning words such as “tranquil”, “quiet”, and “serene”, highlighting the significant psychological comfort these spaces provide. Additionally, through one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation analysis, we found significant differences in emotional and cognitive dimensions among different gardens, which are closely related to specific spatial factors such as landscape element diversity, visual scale, and types of greenery. These findings suggest that the spatial characteristics of Suzhou Gardens play a crucial role in shaping visitors’ emotional responses. Based on these insights, we proposed a series of design recommendations aimed at enhancing the overall image and healing functions of Suzhou Gardens. The findings of this study not only enrich the theoretical framework of healing landscape design but also provide valuable insights for the practical application of these principles in modern urban green space design. The research underscores the importance of combining functionality with aesthetic elements to meet the psychological needs of contemporary society. Full article
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15 pages, 3971 KiB  
Article
Ecological Network Construction Based on Ecosystem Services and Landscape Pattern Indices in the Tabu River Basin
by Weichen Zhang, Yuyang Fan and Bojie Wang
Land 2024, 13(12), 2209; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13122209 - 17 Dec 2024
Viewed by 840
Abstract
Unsustainable human activities threaten the ecological security of arid and semi-arid watersheds. However, improving the connectivity of ecological networks can enhance ecosystem services and preserve biodiversity in these fragile environments. In this study, we aimed to identify ecological sources of the Tabu River [...] Read more.
Unsustainable human activities threaten the ecological security of arid and semi-arid watersheds. However, improving the connectivity of ecological networks can enhance ecosystem services and preserve biodiversity in these fragile environments. In this study, we aimed to identify ecological sources of the Tabu River Basin by quantifying five key ecosystem services and using a morphological spatial pattern analysis model. We further optimized resistance surfaces using landscape pattern indices, constructed an ecological network, and provided recommendations for sustainable management. The results obtained were as follows: (1) Ecosystem services in the Tabu River Basin exhibit clear spatial heterogeneity, with significant increases in water yield, food supply, and carbon sequestration over the past two decades. (2) Landscape pattern indices, such as the aggregation index, patch cohesion index, and Shannon’s diversity index, showed declines, indicating heightened landscape fragmentation and reduced connectivity. (3) Over the study period, the number of ecological sources increased from 6 to 17, although the total area of these sources decreased. The number of corridors expanded from 9 to 36, with a total length increase of 362.47 km, whereas pinch points increased from 27 to 40. (4) After optimization, one additional corridor and 24 new pinch points were identified, alongside a marked reduction in resistance in the northern and central-western regions. These results provide a robust scientific basis for optimizing land-use planning and reinforcing ecological security in the Tabu River Basin. Full article
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18 pages, 1747 KiB  
Article
Exploring Farmers’ Perspectives on Ecosystem Degradation and Restoration in Southern Hilly Regions of China
by Chang You, Chunqian Jiang and En Liu
Land 2024, 13(10), 1562; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13101562 - 26 Sep 2024
Viewed by 853
Abstract
Ecosystem degradation has become a significant global environmental issue. Particularly in the south hilly regions, the necessity for ecological restoration is increasingly evident. This study takes Shiyan City in Hubei Province as an example and adopts a combination of extensive questionnaire surveys and [...] Read more.
Ecosystem degradation has become a significant global environmental issue. Particularly in the south hilly regions, the necessity for ecological restoration is increasingly evident. This study takes Shiyan City in Hubei Province as an example and adopts a combination of extensive questionnaire surveys and field interviews to deeply analyze farmers’ perceptions of the factors influencing ecosystem degradation and restoration. This research fills a gap in current studies at the local level. The results show that (1) farmers generally believe that government policy support and natural resource protection are crucial in ecological restoration, with an average score of 4.4, indicating a strong willingness to participate. (2) There is a significant positive relationship among human consciousness, social governance, and government regulation. Human consciousness not only directly enhances the level of social governance but also promotes the effectiveness of government regulation through social governance. (3) The positive impact between economic benefits and the green economy is confirmed, indicating that ecological restoration is not only an environmental protection requirement but also creates economic development opportunities for farmers. This study emphasizes the importance of constructing a multi-party participation strategy for ecological restoration. Policymakers should focus on the combination of environmental education, policy support, and economic incentives to stimulate farmers’ enthusiasm and achieve sustainable ecosystem management. This research not only provides a theoretical basis for local ecological restoration practices but also offers an important reference for promoting regional sustainable development. By emphasizing the win–win relationship between ecological restoration and economic development, this study provides important new perspectives for the design and implementation of future ecological policies. Full article
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21 pages, 5349 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Smart Community Development in China from the Perspective of Residents’ Sense of Safety: An Analysis Using Criteria Importance through Intercriteria Correlation and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation Approaches
by Chenyang Wang, Linxiu Wang, Tiantian Gu, Enyang Hao, Yujie Chen and Huanjie Zhang
Land 2024, 13(9), 1434; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13091434 - 5 Sep 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1582
Abstract
As a vital part of smart city development, smart community development is in full swing, aiming to improve residents’ sense of safety (RSS). Most research focuses on the technological innovation and infrastructure construction of smart communities; few studies have evaluated smart community development [...] Read more.
As a vital part of smart city development, smart community development is in full swing, aiming to improve residents’ sense of safety (RSS). Most research focuses on the technological innovation and infrastructure construction of smart communities; few studies have evaluated smart community development from the perspective of the RSS. Thus, this paper aims to propose a system of evaluation indicators for assessing the RSS of smart community development. After the relevant evaluation indicators were identified, an evaluation method was proposed using the CRITIC-FCE approach. To validate the feasibility of this method, 31 smart communities in China were selected in this study. The results showed the following: (1) The indicator of the highest weight was ‘cultural activities for the elderly’, while ‘overall design’ had the lowest weight, highlighting the importance of community services in enhancing the RSS of smart community development. (2) The selected cities and communities achieved a generally high level in the RSS of smart community development, and some differences were observed among them. (3) Emergency services and property services play an important role in enhancing the RSS of smart community development, with communities excelling in these areas, achieving higher overall rankings. Conversely, the score of pension service was relatively low, which is a common problem in the evaluation results, reflecting the shortcomings of the current smart community in providing pension service. Consequently, several strategies are suggested to enhance the RSS of smart community development, such as building an emergency information system based on advanced technology, establishing mobile and Internet of Things-based emergency assistance services for the elderly, and enhancing the maintenance of public facilities. This research enriches the knowledge of RSS and provides guidance for further research for the RSS of smart community development. Full article
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22 pages, 48079 KiB  
Article
Neighborhood Effects of Blue Space in Historical Environments on the Mental Health of Older Adults: A Case Study of the Ancient City of Suzhou, China
by Zihan Yang, Jianqiang Yang and Shenglan Chen
Land 2024, 13(8), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081328 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1779
Abstract
With the rapid aging of the global population, China’s old urban areas, especially historical urban areas, are facing a more severe aging situation. In the context of heritage protection, the development and regeneration of historical urban areas are restricted. They usually face the [...] Read more.
With the rapid aging of the global population, China’s old urban areas, especially historical urban areas, are facing a more severe aging situation. In the context of heritage protection, the development and regeneration of historical urban areas are restricted. They usually face the aging and decay of housing, infrastructure, and public service facilities, which are harmful neighborhood environmental factors to the health development of older adults. Since the World Health Organization adopted “healthy aging” as a development strategy to deal with population aging, the mental health of older adults has become an increasingly important public health issue. A growing body of research demonstrates the positive impact of blue spaces (including oceans, rivers, lakes, wetlands, ponds, etc.) on older adults’ mental health, yet evidence on the potential of blue spaces in a historical environment to promote mental health among older adults remains limited. Therefore, exploring the neighborhood impact of blue space on the mental health of older adults has become a new entry point to provide an age-friendly environment for older adults in the ancient city. This study uses multi-source data such as community questionnaire data, remote sensing images, urban street view images, and environmental climate data of the ancient city of Suzhou, to extract a variety of blue space quantitative indicators, and uses the hierarchical linear model and mediation effect model to explore the neighborhood impact of blue space exposure in the historical environment on older adults, to try to explore the impact path and formation mechanism behind it. The result is that exposure to neighborhood blue space in Suzhou’s historic urban area is significantly related to the mental health of older adults. Additionally, neighborhood blue space exposure improves the mental health of older adults by relieving stress and promoting physical activities and social interaction. The health effects of neighborhood blue space exposure vary among elderly groups with different age and income stratifications, and have a greater impact on the healthy lifestyle and mental health of older adults in younger and lower-income aging groups. Based on a multidisciplinary theoretical perspective, this study enriches the empirical literature on the impact of blue space on the mental health of older adults in historical environments and provides a scientific basis for the regeneration planning of “healthy neighborhoods” and “healthy aging” in historical urban areas. Full article
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19 pages, 3641 KiB  
Article
Quantifying Residents’ Perceptions of Smart Community Construction through a Hybrid EWM-PROMETHEE II Method: A Case Study of Shenzhen, China
by Tiantian Gu, Yongchao Wang, Li Wang, Enyang Hao, Chenyang Wang and Muhan Xie
Land 2024, 13(8), 1197; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13081197 - 4 Aug 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1437
Abstract
Smart community construction (SCC) is pivotal for urban modernization, yet extant research often neglects the residents’ perceptions of these initiatives, focusing predominantly on technological advancements. A hybrid evaluation method integrating the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) and PROMETHEE II was developed to quantify residents’ [...] Read more.
Smart community construction (SCC) is pivotal for urban modernization, yet extant research often neglects the residents’ perceptions of these initiatives, focusing predominantly on technological advancements. A hybrid evaluation method integrating the Entropy Weight Method (EWM) and PROMETHEE II was developed to quantify residents’ perceptions of SCC. Through the literature review and expert interview, the evaluation indicators for residents’ perceptions of the SCC were identified, leading to the development of an evaluation indicator system consisting of 5 dimensions and 25 indicators. The hybrid evaluation method that combines EWM and PROMETHEE II was then applied to quantify the level of residents’ perceptions of SCC across five communities in Shenzhen city of China, using data from 410 valid questionnaires. The results indicated that the Baolong community had the highest level of the SCC, while the Nanyuan community exhibited the lowest ranking. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of these results, thereby validating the evaluation process. Moreover, recommendations were proposed to enhance residents’ perceptions of smart community initiatives. This research not only introduces a novel evaluation method that expands the body of knowledge on the SCC and residents’ perceptions but also helps the government develop sustainable SCC strategies. Full article
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17 pages, 1788 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Ecosystem-Services Trade-Offs and Supply–Demand Balance along a Precipitation Gradient: A Case Study in the Central Loess Plateau of China
by Qiang Feng, Baoling Duan and Xiao Zhang
Land 2024, 13(7), 1057; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13071057 - 15 Jul 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1105
Abstract
Although the theory of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for guiding land-use planning, knowledge of ESs trade-offs and supply–demand mechanisms is still lacking, and the characteristics of the correlation between the size of trade-offs and the balance between supply and demand along the [...] Read more.
Although the theory of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for guiding land-use planning, knowledge of ESs trade-offs and supply–demand mechanisms is still lacking, and the characteristics of the correlation between the size of trade-offs and the balance between supply and demand along the precipitation gradient have not yet been clarified. In order to supplement this area of knowledge of ESs, we selected 30 small watersheds in high-, medium- and low-precipitation areas as study units. A biophysical model and socio-economic data were used to calculate supply and demand for carbon sequestration, soil conservation and water yield. Redundancy analysis and regression analysis were used to study the ESs trade-offs, the supply–demand dynamics, and the characteristics of their correlation. The results were as follows. (1) The supply and balance between supply and demand of the three ESs, the trade-off between carbon sequestration and water yield and the trade-off between soil conservation and water yield trended downwards from the high-precipitation area to the medium-precipitation area to the low-precipitation area. (2) The primary factors influencing balance between supply and demand with regard to carbon sequestration in high-, medium- and low-precipitation areas were population density and soil organic-matter content, and the size of the conditional effects were greater than 53%. The dominant factor affecting the balance between supply and demand with regard to soil conservation in the three precipitation areas was slope gradient, and the conditional effect was greater than 40%. The most significant determinants of balance between supply and demand with regard to water yield in the three precipitation areas were grassland area, forest area and precipitation, and the conditional effects were greater than 22%. (3) The most significant determinants of the trade-off between carbon sequestration and water yield in high-, medium- and low-precipitation areas were forest, soil organic-matter content and population density, and the conditional effects were all greater than 45%; the primary factors affecting the trade-off between soil conservation and water yield in high-, medium- and low-precipitation areas were grassland and slope gradient, and the conditional effects were all greater than 24%. (4) The relationship between the balance between supply and demand and trade-off size often followed a quadratic function; the next-most-common relationship was a monotonous nonlinear response, and a linear response relationship was relatively rare. This study revealed the factors influencing balance between supply and demand and trade-offs with regard to ESs and the characteristics of their correlations in areas with different degrees of precipitation, which provided a new idea for the synchronous regulation of ESs in the context of conflicts and supply–demand imbalance. Full article
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18 pages, 2053 KiB  
Article
Envisaging Participatory Management in Protected Areas: Local Response to Proposed Conservation Actions in Relation to Environmental Orientation
by Vassiliki Kleftoyanni and Michael Vrahnakis
Land 2024, 13(7), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13070976 - 2 Jul 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1170
Abstract
Involving local people in natural area management is very important to address the complexity of environmental management issues for the sustainable use of local resources. Participatory methods require the contribution of local stakeholders in decision-making. Mapping the environmental views of local communities allows [...] Read more.
Involving local people in natural area management is very important to address the complexity of environmental management issues for the sustainable use of local resources. Participatory methods require the contribution of local stakeholders in decision-making. Mapping the environmental views of local communities allows for the detection of aspects that could facilitate management efforts. This research—in the frame of the Skyros LIFE project and the PAMNATURA project—measures the local acceptability of the conservation actions proposed by the LIFE project in Skyros island (Greece), in relation to recording local people’s environmental orientation using the 15-item revised New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale. The research was carried out by means of questionnaires. The LIFE project proposed actions were grouped into three categories according to their theme, i.e., promoting (a) nature protection, (b) agro-pastoralism and (c) ecotourism. The sample seems to largely agree with the LIFE project proposals, while the results showed high scores for most of the NEP scale items, implying pro-environmental beliefs, though there appears to be disagreement or neutrality regarding a few items. The local acceptability of the proposed actions was found to correlate to local people’s environmental concern measured through the NEP scale. Drawing on the results, the implementation of actions related directly or indirectly to economic activities and the preservation of traditional activities, as well as environmental education and interactive informing and consultation, could enhance local participation. Skyros island seems to offer an appropriate social background for applying participatory and adaptive management and implementing conservation programs. Full article
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