Participatory mapping of cultural ecosystem services in the Warsaw metropolitan area

A

bstract

Although the concept of ecosystem services is not new, its importance has increased significantly in recent years, and references to ecosystem services are now included in key strategic and planning documents both in Poland and at the European level. These documents emphasize, among other aspects, the need for spatial mapping of ecosystem service distribution. Ecosystem services have also been incorporated into forest management plans within the State Forests National Forest Holding. At the same time, public interest in forest-related ecosystem services has grown noticeably.

This study employed an online questionnaire combined with a Public Participation Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) module to identify the factors determining the choice of forest areas in the Warsaw metropolitan area for recreational purposes, as well as the factors discouraging forest visits. In addition, the study aimed to assess the importance of ecosystem services provided by forests and to spatially map not only locations preferred for recreation and those avoided by respondents, but also areas considered valuable in terms of cultural ecosystem services (CES).

The findings indicate that regulating and CES are considered the most important by residents of the Warsaw metropolitan area. Recreational choices are primarily influenced by accessibility and the opportunity to find peace and quiet, while the most significant factors discouraging forest visits include noise and vandalism. The PPGIS module enabled detailed spatial mapping of recreational areas, avoided locations, and the distribution of ecosystem services valued by respondents.

Given the non-representative nature of the sample, this study should be regarded as a pilot investigation. Nevertheless, the applied methodology offers valuable potential for use in public consultation processes and participatory planning in forest and landscape management.