Integrating socio-cultural perspectives into ecosystem service valuation: A review of concepts and methods

• Published in: Ecological economics Vol. 114; pp. 67 - 78
• Main Authors: Scholte, Samantha S.K., van Teeffelen, Astrid J.A., Verburg, Peter H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.06.2015
• Subjects: Cultural ecosystem services; Documentation; Ecology; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; Environmental economics; Landscape; Landscape values; Monetary economics; Portfolio analysis; Social valuation; Social values; Socio-cultural values; Valuation; Valuation methods; Well-being; Socio-cultural values; Social valuation; Ecosystem services; Cultural ecosystem services; Landscape values; Valuation methods
• ISSN: 0921-8009; 1873-6106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2015.03.007

Ecosystem service research has long been dominated by a monetary interpretation of value, neglecting other social perspectives on the importance of ecosystems for human well-being. Emphasis has been put on individual utility and rational choice, which does not adequately capture the full spectrum of social values of ecosystem services. A socio-cultural approach to value ecosystem services is increasingly advocated and is gaining more attention in the ecosystem service research agenda. The current documentation of socio-cultural perspectives on ecosystem services is, however, characterized by a conflation of the concepts of “cultural ecosystem services” and “socio-cultural values” of ecosystem services. This paper reviews (i) the concept of socio-cultural values within the ecosystem service framework, (ii) the social and ecological factors that determine socio-cultural values, and (iii) the methods by which socio-cultural values can be assessed. The clarifications of the concept of socio-cultural valuation and the structured listing of the available methods facilitate a better integration of socio-cultural values into ecosystem service assessments and help researchers to choose methods from the available portfolio. •We define socio-cultural values as different from cultural ecosystem services.•We present a framework that shows which factors determine socio-cultural values of ESs.•Based on 91 case studies, we discuss 6 data collection techniques.•We discuss the spatial dimension of socio-cultural values.•To advance the socio-cultural valuation of ESs, we suggest adopting pluralistic methods.