- Title
- Cultural ecosystem services derived from estuaries in New South Wales, Australia
- Creator
- Martin, Carol Linda
- Relation
- University of Newcastle Research Higher Degree Thesis
- Resource Type
- thesis
- Date
- 2019
- Description
- Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- Description
- Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are the non-material benefits obtained from natural ecosystems that contribute to human wellbeing through aesthetic and recreational experiences, and spiritual enrichment. Research on CES is rapidly increasing with growing recognition of their important contributions to human wellbeing, however, little is known about CES derived from estuaries, some of the most highly impacted and modified ecosystems in the world. Difficulties valuing intangible and subjective attributes of CES, means these ecosystem services cannot be compared with economic-dominated values primarily used in decision-making. This risks a lack of recognition and consideration of CES by decision-makers that compromises the provision of CES and important non-material benefits to human wellbeing. The overall aim of this thesis is to address the knowledge gap on CES derived from estuaries, and explore social-ecological relationships in these areas. Data were collected from people residing near estuaries in New South Wales, Australia, using mixed methods including participatory mapping, personal interviews, focus groups, and an online survey questionnaire. Both quantitative and qualitative data analyses were performed. Key findings revealed estuaries are greatly valued for a range of CES, especially for aesthetic, recreational, nature/biodiversity, and intrinsic/existence/future CES-related values. Certain land use zones and land cover are major providers of specific CES, as well as bundles of CES. Both natural and manmade attributes were considered important for the continued enjoyment and recreational use of estuaries. However, natural attributes were found to be a significant predictor of CES, which in turn was a significant predictor of perceived wellbeing; emphasising the importance of the natural environment in the provision of CES. This is further supported by participants’ concerns about development, pollution and poor water quality having the greatest potential to adversely affect the provision of CES. Additionally, findings provided insights into the nature of non-material benefits supplied by CES in estuarine areas. It was evident participants’ individual and collective experiences provided important restorative, spiritual and relational benefits, but perceptions of development and over-crowding created a sense of solastalgia that impinged on wellbeing. Based on the research findings, a conceptual diagram was developed that can act as a framework to assist in understanding the flow of CES-related benefits obtained from estuarine areas and their influence on wellbeing. It is vital CES are recognised and integrated into governance, and a social-ecological approach to policy development, spatial planning and estuary management is required to promote community wellbeing. Failure to do so will result in the loss and degradation of CES, impacting overall wellbeing, resulting in increased prevalence and associated costs physical and mental health disorders. While spatial mapping of CES offers a viable alternative to economic assessments of CES, it may be useful to explore how contingent valuation methods could help facilitate the inclusion of CES into governance. This would ensure proper recognition of these valuable ecosystem services. Thus, it is necessary to investigate ways of valuing CES in monetary terms through interdisciplinary and participatory research, as well as collaboration with policy makers, spatial planners and resource managers.
- Subject
- cultural ecosystem services; non-material benefits; intangible; well-being
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1407925
- Identifier
- uon:35794
- Rights
- Copyright 2019 Carol Linda Martin
- Language
- eng
- Full Text
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| Thumbnail | File | Description | Size | Format | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT01 | Thesis | 8 MB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download | ||
| View Details Download | ATTACHMENT02 | Abstract | 908 KB | Adobe Acrobat PDF | View Details Download |