Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
Coastal areas are unique socio-ecological systems that are characterised by especially high provision of ecosystem services and sociocultural significance. This study investigates cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by coastal areas in Latvia and Estonia, with a focus on their contribution to...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Taylor & Francis Group
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Ecosystems and People |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2530103 |
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| Summary: | Coastal areas are unique socio-ecological systems that are characterised by especially high provision of ecosystem services and sociocultural significance. This study investigates cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by coastal areas in Latvia and Estonia, with a focus on their contribution to human well-being and factors that shape recreational preferences. By using a public participatory GIS (PPGIS) survey, data from 1381 recreational users were collected. The PPGIS data were utilized to map spatial patterns of CES use, assess the perceived suitability of various coastal ecosystem related factors for recreational activities, and link these activities to human well-being benefits. Results reveal that the diversity of coastal ecosystem shapes recreational uses, with Estonia’s highly indented and diverse coastline supporting a wider array of activities compared to Latvia’s predominantly sandy shores. Coastal CES provide diverse range of perceived well-being benefits, with both passive and active interactions with the coast contributing to mental and physical health, though the benefits vary across different CES. The study highlights the need to integrate participatory CES assessments into coastal planning to balance social and cultural values with other development interests, supporting holistic, evidence-based management strategies for Baltic Sea ecosystems and beyond. |
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| ISSN: | 2639-5908 2639-5916 |