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Heterogeneity in Ecosystem Service Values: Linking Public Perceptions and Environmental Policies

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  • Yuan Pan

    (Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
    Present address: Department of Geography, University of Cambridge Conservation Research Institute, The David Attenborough Building, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, UK.)

  • Yue Che

    (School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China)

  • Stuart Marshall

    (Safety and Environmental Assurance Centre, Unilever Colworth, Sharnbrook, Bedford MK44 1ET, UK
    Present address: 6 Prestwick Road, Great Denham, Bedford MK40 4FH, UK.)

  • Lorraine Maltby

    (Department of Animal & Plant Sciences, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK)

Abstract

One way of linking research and environmental policies is to increase public participation and identify ecosystem services valued by society, but the reasons influencing ecosystem values can vary. Our study investigates the reasons influencing ecosystem service values at the third largest freshwater lake in China, Lake Tai (Taihu). We interviewed 257 rural and 257 urban respondents in four cities and their respective rural regions surrounding the lake. Respondents were more willing to pay to protect a provisioning ecosystem service than a cultural ecosystem service, and those emotionally attached to the lake may value it more highly. There is also spatial heterogeneity in respondents’ ecosystem values. Rural communities ranked directly used ecosystem services higher than urban communities. The city that respondents lived in also significantly affected the amount they were willing to pay for ecosystem services. Identifying potential reasons behind ecosystem service values can provide insights into linking public perception and policy making, helping to form environmental policies that reflect societal values.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuan Pan & Yue Che & Stuart Marshall & Lorraine Maltby, 2020. "Heterogeneity in Ecosystem Service Values: Linking Public Perceptions and Environmental Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-14, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:3:p:1217-:d:317994
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Li-Chun Peng & Wan-Yu Lien & Yu-Pin Lin, 2020. "How Experts’ Opinions and Knowledge Affect Their Willingness to Pay for and Ranking of Hydrological Ecosystem Services," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-18, December.
    2. Xinxing Xiong & Tingting Zhou & Ting Cai & Wei Huang & Jie Li & Xufeng Cui & Fei Li, 2022. "Land Use Transition and Effects on Ecosystem Services in Water-Rich Cities under Rapid Urbanization: A Case Study of Wuhan City, China," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-17, July.
    3. Veronika Vaseková, 2022. "How do people in China perceive water? From health threat perception to environmental policy change," Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, Springer;Association of Environmental Studies and Sciences, vol. 12(3), pages 627-645, September.

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