Exploring the cultural ecosystem services of arid watersheds: A social media analysis

Abstract

This study explores cultural ecosystem services (CES) provided by five arid watersheds of south-eastern Spain using the image social network Flickr. A total of 652 georeferenced photos were selected, uploaded by 174 authors. The most representative CES in each photo was identified. The relationships between the identified CES and the landscape elements and land uses represented by photos, as well as the CES associated with the protected areas of the study watersheds were examined by statistical and descriptive analyses. The results revealed that the CES most represented were aesthetic associated with water bodies, shrubs, native flora, trees and mountains; existence value with native fauna; inspiration associated with rocks and snow; and sense of place with natural and anthropised landscapes. Significant differences in aesthetic and existence value were found between photographs taken inside and outside protected areas. The use of photographs uploaded to social media in dryland is useful for exploring the landscape elements of greatest interest to citizens (e.g., landscapes, biodiversity) and some CES (e.g., aesthetic). However, other CES such as existential or inspirational value may be biased by subjective criteria of the researcher and due to the socio-cultural profile of the people who upload photographs to these networks.