The benefits and disbenefits associated with cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces

Agnieszka Nowak-Olejnik*, Jarosław Działek, Joanna Hibner, Justyna Liro, Rafał Madej, Martin Sudmanns, Dagmar Haase

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) and disservices shape landscape planning policy to a huge extent. We focus on the benefits and disbenefits associated with CES. The study aimed to explore the co-occurrence of the benefits and disbenefits associated with CES as well as the relationship between spatial and landscape characteristics and specific benefits and disbenefits. We conducted a map-based online questionnaire among visitors of two urban green spaces in Kraków, Poland (Wolski Forest and Jordan Park). Respondents were asked to map places visited and assign them benefits and disbenefits using indicator statements. We found three bundles of benefits (connection to nature, social bonding in nature and responsibility) and five to seven bundles of disbenefits (1). The experiences (e.g., strengthening social bonds) were more concentrated whereas the identities (e.g., reflection) were more blurred spatially owing to their individualistic nature (2). The relationship between benefits/disbenefits and landscape features showed a relatively weak correlation, with a more discernible pattern observed in the case of experiences and capabilities (3). Respondents perceived more human-related disbenefits (overcrowding, noise, rubbish), exhibiting a greater geographical concentration, especially in proximity to tourist attractions (4). The ecosystem-related disbenefits (insects, allergies) were less geographically concentrated (5). Furthermore, the study unveiled differences in the perception of disbenefits across seasons. Visitors of warmer months expressed concerns about overcrowding, insects, and allergies, while those exploring the study areas in winter indicated challenges associated with darkness and snow-covered paths (6). These are important implications for management to increase the comfort of visits to green spaces.

Original languageEnglish
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume926
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 29 Mar 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Authors

Keywords

  • Ecosystem disservices
  • Green spaces management
  • Landscape features
  • Poland
  • Seasonality

Fields of Science and Technology Classification 2012

  • 107 Other Natural Sciences

Cite this