Multi-scale mapping of cultural ecosystem services in a socio-ecological landscape: A case study of the international Wadden Sea Region

A study reveals that only 37% of the areas marked by fans of the Wadden Sea coastal region fall within its UNESCO World Heritage boundaries, suggesting potential for broader protection demarcation. The research, involving 7650 respondents from Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, identified a community of 14 million citizens with place attachment to this international site. It employed a tri-lateral web survey (Greenmapper) to map cultural ecosystem services at multiple scales, examining spatial distribution, community size, and appreciation patterns relative to formal protection status. Findings indicate varied correlations between landscape attachment and distance among the three countries, highlighting the need for inclusive governance strategies that engage both locals and international fans.

Sijtsma, F. J., Mehnen, N., Angelstam, P., & Muñoz-Rojas, J. (2019). Multi-scale mapping of cultural ecosystem services in a socio-ecological landscape: A case study of the international Wadden Sea Region. Landscape Ecology, 34(7), 1751–1768. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-019-00841-8