Participatory Mapping of Cultural Ecosystem (Dis)Services at Pulau Ubin, Singapore

Abstract

Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) are defined as the non-material benefits people obtain from ecosystems. Cultural Ecosystem Disservices (CEDS) are defined as functions of ecosystems that are perceived as negative for human well-being. Integrating both CES and CEDS can provide a more balanced approach that understands how different people perceive an ecosystem as beneficial, harmful or insignificant. CE(D)S is the outcome of the complex and dynamic relationships between humans and their environment. Since humans do not belong to a homogeneous entity, different people will interact and experience a landscape differently, resulting in a diversity of perceptions attached to an ecosystem. Yet, little attention is given to diverging CE(D)S perceptions that can possibly arise from different stakeholders. Using a Participatory Mapping method, this study elucidated the many spatial convergences and divergences of CE(D)S valuation between different stakeholders at Ubin. Spatial patterns of hotspots and coldspots demonstrate spatial convergences of CE(D)S perceptions across all stakeholders. Spatial divergences of CE(D)S perceptions were identified in terms different stakeholders valuing different CE(D)S categories and the coexistence of CES and CEDS in a space attributed by different stakeholders. These results illuminate how diverging, and converging CE(D)S valuations can arise from different stakeholders, and, in order for greater cultural sensitivity and understanding of the relevance of CE(D)S to individual stakeholders, it is imperative to investigate different user groups during CE(D)S assessments. In elucidating the factors that drive spatial convergences and divergences of CE(D)S valuation, it is also demonstrated in this study that a mixed theoretical approach- borrowing concepts from the social sciences- and collaborating with fields of studies similar to CE(D)S- landscape services and values- can help to further strengthen our understanding of CE(D)S.