Does ecosystem services valuation reflect local cultural valuations? Comparative analysis of resident perspectives in four major urban river ecosystems

Bibliographic Data

ID24313749
AuthorsMargaret V Du Bray (Environmental Studies, Augustana College Rock Island IL 61201 USA), Rhian Stotts (School of Human Evolution and Social Change Arizona State University Tempe AZ 85281 USA), Melissa Beresford (0000-0002-5707-3943, School of Human Evolution and Social Change Arizona State University Tempe AZ 85281 USA), Amber Wutich (School of Human Evolution and Social Change Arizona State University Tempe AZ 85281 USA), Alexandra Brewis (0000-0003-3769-4205, School of Human Evolution and Social Change Arizona State University Tempe AZ 85281 USA)
Year2019
Volume6
Issue1
Pages21-33
Publication date2019-01-01
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueEconomic Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2330-4847 • E-ISSN: 2330-4847
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/sea2.12128
OpenAlexW2897254980
LanguageEN
Citations received10
References cited66

Anthropologists have long considered how people create and perceive the value of goods and services. While valuation of nature as a commodity is one means of conservation, locally resonant values of nature may not follow market logic. We apply the ecosystem services valuation (ESV) framework to four major urban river ecosystems (Australia, New Zealand, United States, and United Kingdom) to compare and contrast value (the alienable goods that are readily commodified and monetized) and values (the inalienable goods and rights that defy easy comparability and recognition). In interviews, respondents (N = 283) living near the rivers described the local river‐associated ecosystem services (ES) they experienced. Thematic content analysis of coded interview data showed that respondents in all four sites recognize ES in their local areas related to rivers, and these resonate with the value‐oriented ESV frameworks. While the ESV framework offers a way for scholars and policymakers to easily compare the monetary value of ES, our results indicate that rivers have locally ascribed value that defies easy commodification. In particular, our work highlights the local importance of priceless, inalienable values perceived to be conferred across ES and not just restricted to cultural services.

commodification of nature · cultural ecosystem services · ecosystem services valuation · local cultural values · resident perspectives · river conservation · Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Economic and Environmental Valuation · Land Use and Ecosystem Services