Critiques of cultural ecosystem services, and ways forward that minimize them

Abstract

Paper summary generated by OpenAI: This chapter critically examines the concept of cultural ecosystem services (CES), highlighting nine prevalent critiques and proposing strategies to address these concerns. By employing a counterfactual approach, the authors explore the implications of the absence of CES research and how related phenomena might be managed without it. The findings suggest that, despite its limitations, the CES framework plays a crucial role in integrating values associated with spirituality, identity, and history into environmental decision-making. Ultimately, the chapter argues that while the CES concept may be flawed, it remains a valuable tool for fostering meaningful dialogue around environmental values.