Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)
Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed on...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-08-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/8/876 |
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| author | Silvija Krajter Ostoić Ana Marija Marin Martina Kičić Dijana Vuletić |
| author_facet | Silvija Krajter Ostoić Ana Marija Marin Martina Kičić Dijana Vuletić |
| author_sort | Silvija Krajter Ostoić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:36:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-16e1495ea87e4270a95d8d77c7164c9b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T17:36:12Z |
| publishDate | 2020-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-16e1495ea87e4270a95d8d77c7164c9b2023-11-20T09:50:44ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072020-08-0111887610.3390/f11080876Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia)Silvija Krajter Ostoić0Ana Marija Marin1Martina Kičić2Dijana Vuletić3Department for International Scientific Cooperation in Southeast Europe—EFISEE, Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450 Jastrebarsko, CroatiaDepartment for International Scientific Cooperation in Southeast Europe—EFISEE, Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450 Jastrebarsko, CroatiaDepartment for International Scientific Cooperation in Southeast Europe—EFISEE, Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450 Jastrebarsko, CroatiaDepartment for International Scientific Cooperation in Southeast Europe—EFISEE, Croatian Forest Research Institute, Cvjetno naselje 41, 10450 Jastrebarsko, CroatiaBackground and Objectives: Cultural ecosystem services of urban green spaces are increasingly important and often recognized as such by people living in urban areas. Qualitative studies on perception of cultural ecosystem services from urban green spaces are still rare. Previous studies addressed only certain types of urban green space and often only some services. There is a lack of understanding how people perceive cultural ecosystem services from different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Hence, the purpose of the study was to explore whether and how people perceive and use cultural ecosystem services of different types of tree-based urban green spaces. Materials and Methods: Focus groups were conducted with citizens in each city district. Interviews were recorded, transcribed and transcripts analyzed in MAXQDA software. We used bottom up code-category-theme approach to analyze the data without predefined set of codes or categories. Results: Place attachment, aesthetic and recreational services were more recognized than educational and cultural identity services. For place attachment, most important single attributes were positive memories, and good maintenance, while most important categories were facilities, existence of emotional ties, possibility of experiences, recreational use and access. Presence of specific tree species and presence of trees in general were most important attributes for aesthetic services, while possibility of experiences and trees were the most important categories. Conclusions: People perceived various cultural ecosystem services from tree-based urban green space, even though some services more than others. Recreation may be the underlying goal of our participants when interacting with tree-based urban nature. Forests, parks were recognized as those providing multiple cultural ecosystem services. However, other types of green spaces were also recognized as bearers of these services, albeit with less services and attributes attached. It supports the importance of careful planning of urban green spaces in terms of providing a variety of green space types. The study provides basis for later quantification of cultural ecosystem services (CES) from tree-based urban green space.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/8/876perceptioncultural ecosystem servicesplace attachmentaestheticsrecreationeducation |
| spellingShingle | Silvija Krajter Ostoić Ana Marija Marin Martina Kičić Dijana Vuletić Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) Forests perception cultural ecosystem services place attachment aesthetics recreation education |
| title | Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) |
| title_full | Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) |
| title_short | Qualitative Exploration of Perception and Use of Cultural Ecosystem Services from Tree-Based Urban Green Space in the City of Zagreb (Croatia) |
| title_sort | qualitative exploration of perception and use of cultural ecosystem services from tree based urban green space in the city of zagreb croatia |
| topic | perception cultural ecosystem services place attachment aesthetics recreation education |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/11/8/876 |
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