A new method to classify cultural ecosystem services and visualize their economic value: A case study of Guilin, a famous tourist destination in China

Abstract

Cultural ecosystem services (CES) are one of the most important benefits that humans obtain from nature. However, due to inconsistent understanding of CES and challenges in assessment methods, incorporating CES into policy frameworks is difficult. Based on field survey data from Guilin, this paper uses principal component analysis (PCA) to reclassify CES. Then, choice experiments (CE) are combined with the public participation geographic information system (PPGIS) to measure the value of CES in Guilin and realize the spatial visualization of the CES’ economic value. The results are as follows: CES in Guilin can be reclassified into four types: natural and cultural heritage, health and hedonic well-being, aesthetic information, and existence and bequest value of biodiversity. In addition, the preference order of respondents for these types is as follows: aesthetic information, health and hedonic well-being, existence and bequest value of biodiversity, and natural and cultural heritage. The value of CES in Guilin is 0.998 billion yuan/year, and the per capita willingness to pay (WTP) for CES is 219.67 yuan/year. Through the visualization of economic value, this study finds that there is a gradient in CES value in space. The CES assessment method developed in this study is replicable and practically applicable, which is of great significance for promoting the inclusion of CES in policy considerations and improving human well-being.