Differing perceptions on cultural ecosystem service values of urban forest landscapes for children and youths: A case study of Changsha, Central China

The urban forest contributes substantially to human well-being through its diverse material and non-material benefits. However, the non-material dimensions of human-nature relations in urban forest landscapes have received limited attention, particularly in understanding the relationship between cultural ecosystem service (CES) values, identity (e.g., perceptions and cognitions), and the urban forest landscape. To address this research gap, we developed a framework to evaluate the perceptions of 802 children and youths (ranging from kindergarten to university) regarding the CES values of urban forest landscapes, and explored the relationship between these perceived CES values and various landscape elements and attributes. The results demonstrated that kindergarten students preferred recreation and social relations values, primary and middle school students tended to natural appreciation values, and university students appreciated aesthetic and sense of place values. In particular, youths placed a higher value on the importance of natural elements in providing diverse CES values, highlighting the importance of ecological components for cultural benefits in landscape planning. By examining the non-material links between forest values in the cultural context of China and the emotional and identity-related aspects of children and youths, this study provides valuable insights for urban forest management in China.