The generations of cultural ecosystem services research

Area of Science:

• Conservation social science
• Human-nature relationships
• Ecosystem services

Background:

• Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are nonmaterial benefits from human-nature relationships.
• CES research has evolved significantly since its introduction in 2005.
• Critiques have led to new concepts and approaches in the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of CES research.
• To introduce the concept of second-generation CES.
• To outline future directions for understanding nonmaterial nature's contributions to people.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and conceptual analysis.
• Characterization of first-generation CES.
• Identification of second-generation CES innovations (biocultural indicators, relational values, nonmaterial nature's contributions to people).

Main Results:

• The field has progressed to "second-generation CES" research.
• New approaches enhance, reject, or modify first-generation CES premises.
• Nonmaterial factors influence conservation decisions through evaluation, trade-offs, recognition, and reclassification.

Conclusions:

• Second-generation CES provides a pluralistic framework for capturing the essence of nonmaterial nature's contributions.
• These approaches are crucial for effective conservation decision-making.
• Recognizing diverse human-nature relationships is central to conservation social science.