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: Agnese Reke, Anda Ruskule, Liisi Lees, Jonne Kotta, Kristina Veidemane, Anneliis Kõivupuu, Kristjan Herkül, Robert Aps, Holger Jänes, Francisco R. Barboza
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Ecosystems and People
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2530103
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author Agnese Reke
Anda Ruskule
Liisi Lees
Jonne Kotta
Kristina Veidemane
Anneliis Kõivupuu
Kristjan Herkül
Robert Aps
Holger Jänes
Francisco R. Barboza
author_facet Agnese Reke
Anda Ruskule
Liisi Lees
Jonne Kotta
Kristina Veidemane
Anneliis Kõivupuu
Kristjan Herkül
Robert Aps
Holger Jänes
Francisco R. Barboza
author_sort Agnese Reke
collection DOAJ
description 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.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 2639-5908
2639-5916
language English
publishDate 2025-12-01
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spelling doaj-art-217ad8d578a648ddabb53ecbe495cbc62025-08-20T03:43:57ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEcosystems and People2639-59082639-59162025-12-0121110.1080/26395916.2025.2530103Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea regionAgnese Reke0Anda Ruskule1Liisi Lees2Jonne Kotta3Kristina Veidemane4Anneliis Kõivupuu5Kristjan Herkül6Robert Aps7Holger Jänes8Francisco R. Barboza9Baltic Environmental Forum—Latvia, Riga, LatviaBaltic Environmental Forum—Latvia, Riga, LatviaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaBaltic Environmental Forum—Latvia, Riga, LatviaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaEstonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Tallinn, EstoniaCoastal 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.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2530103Christian AlbertParticipatory GIScultural ecosystem serviceswell-being benefitsrecreational preferencesEstonia
spellingShingle Agnese Reke
Anda Ruskule
Liisi Lees
Jonne Kotta
Kristina Veidemane
Anneliis Kõivupuu
Kristjan Herkül
Robert Aps
Holger Jänes
Francisco R. Barboza
Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
Ecosystems and People
Christian Albert
Participatory GIS
cultural ecosystem services
well-being benefits
recreational preferences
Estonia
title Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
title_full Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
title_fullStr Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
title_full_unstemmed Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
title_short Linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well-being and leisure preferences: insights from the Baltic Sea region
title_sort linking coastal cultural ecosystem services to human well being and leisure preferences insights from the baltic sea region
topic Christian Albert
Participatory GIS
cultural ecosystem services
well-being benefits
recreational preferences
Estonia
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2025.2530103
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