Journal of Geo-information Science, Volume. 22, Issue 5, 1106(2020)
Landscape ecology is the scientific basis of sustainable landscape development. Participatory mapping based on stakeholders is effective to establish the landscape service category system and quantitative indicators. The evaluation of landscape services primarily focused on the complex and dynamic relationships between human and environment. Landscape service is a special type of ecosystem services. It emphasizes the landscape functions and spatial characteristics that are being used by human, as well as ecosystem service shifts from simple ecological protection to integrated landscape architecture. This paper aimed to evaluate the potential of using local stakeholders as key informants in the spatial assessment of landscape service indicators. In our study, we took Jiuzhaigou Nature Reserve as an example to introduce the “landscape services” and mapping of all the landscape service indicators based on local stakeholders. A total of 17 different material, and non-material cultural landscape service indicators were established and mapped separately on an aerial image using local stakeholders in semi-structured interviews. These landscape service indicators were presented and analyzed spatially for better understanding of landscape-level service structure, pattern and relationship. Assessing the wide variety of landscape services, e.g. livestock, medicinal resources and dwelling, requires a wide range of data sources for their identification. In total, we obtained 737 landscape service points with participatory mapping in analysis. Our results show that local involvement and participatory mapping enhanced the assessment of landscape services. Spiritual belief, religious activities and residents' village buildings had a high synergistic relationship. Jiuzhaigou scenic spot service had positive spatial correlation, and the observed values ??in the unit shared a same trend. The local autocorrelation indicated a significant local spatial agglomeration phenomenon at the Jiuzhaigou landscape service point, and the "high-high" clusters of landscape services were mainly distributed at the entrance. While the “low-low” clusters of landscape services are mainly distributed in areas such as forests, which was far away from human habitation and activity areas. Many material landscape service indicators were spatially separated and scattered in the study area. And the well-being of locals also depended on the non-material services, e.g., public places of social interaction and cultural traditions. These benefits from nature demonstrated spatial clustering and coexistence, and were close to settlements where the highest intensity and diversity were found. Based on our results, the integration of participatory mapping methods in landscape service assessment is crucial for collaborative, bottom-up landscape management. It is also essential to capture the non-utilitarian value of landscape and to assess its social and cultural landscape services, which are less evaluated in many studies.
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Yaru ZHU, Jun GAO, Zhenhua BING, Zhonghao ZHANG, Jing FU.
Received: Aug. 15, 2019
Accepted: --
Published Online: Nov. 12, 2020
The Author Email: GAO Jun (gaojun@shnu.edu.cn)