Refereed journal article or data article (A1)
Participatory mapping of cultural ecosystem services for landscape corridor planning: A case study of the Silk Roads corridor in Zhangye, China
List of Authors: Xu HY, Zhao GH, Fagerholm N, Primdahl J, Plieninger T
Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS LTD- ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
Publication year: 2020
Journal: Journal of Environmental Management
Journal name in source: JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Journal acronym: J ENVIRON MANAGE
Article number: ARTN 110458
Volume number: 264
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0301-4797
eISSN: 1095-8630
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110458
Abstract
Cultural landscape corridors provide opportunities for recreation and other cultural ecosystem services (CES). Currently, many local governments are preparing cultural landscape corridor (CLC) proposals along China's Silk Roads, which include many notable features of historical human activity and communication between different cultures. However, public values and perceptions of these projects have been largely excluded from the planning processes. This study presents a spatial pattern analysis of public perceptions of the impact of a CLC in Zhangye, China. CES were used as a framework for participatory mapping, interviews, and a structured survey of public perceptions, and correspondence analysis was used to identify resident perceptions of the corridor's expected impact, especially as related to CES. Our results show that aesthetic values, cultural heritage values, and recreation were valued most highly. These values varied according to respondents' employment and land-use rights. The riverside was the most highest-valued area for CES. Respondents expressed concerns about the project's potentially negative impact, especially on the spiritual values of land. These concerns could be the source of conflict during project implementation. We conclude that linking participatory mapping with CES has the potential to improve corridor proposals and assist in the management of conflicts between planners and public stakeholders.
Cultural landscape corridors provide opportunities for recreation and other cultural ecosystem services (CES). Currently, many local governments are preparing cultural landscape corridor (CLC) proposals along China's Silk Roads, which include many notable features of historical human activity and communication between different cultures. However, public values and perceptions of these projects have been largely excluded from the planning processes. This study presents a spatial pattern analysis of public perceptions of the impact of a CLC in Zhangye, China. CES were used as a framework for participatory mapping, interviews, and a structured survey of public perceptions, and correspondence analysis was used to identify resident perceptions of the corridor's expected impact, especially as related to CES. Our results show that aesthetic values, cultural heritage values, and recreation were valued most highly. These values varied according to respondents' employment and land-use rights. The riverside was the most highest-valued area for CES. Respondents expressed concerns about the project's potentially negative impact, especially on the spiritual values of land. These concerns could be the source of conflict during project implementation. We conclude that linking participatory mapping with CES has the potential to improve corridor proposals and assist in the management of conflicts between planners and public stakeholders.