Woodland freedoms and individualism: nature situated self-development as a precursor to Cultural Service creation

King, Helena and Burgess, Paul (2011). Woodland freedoms and individualism: nature situated self-development as a precursor to Cultural Service creation. In: Woods and Forests in British Society: Progress in research and practice. Conference proceedings, Forest Research Monograph, 3 (Ambrose-Oji, Bianca and Fancett, Karen eds.), Forest Research, Surrey, pp. 9–24.

URL: https://cdn.forestresearch.gov.uk/2011/01/frmg003_...

Abstract

The ‘ecosystem services’ approach has emerged as a framework to align UK natural resource management and governance (Defra, 2007), with the intention of reducing damage to ecosystems (Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005a) and improving the quality of life (Defra, 2010). This approach presents the socio-cultural services obtained from ecosystems through the use of two closely related terms; namely the Information Function (de Groot et al., 2002; Chiesura and de Groot, 2003; Chiesura, 2004), and the Cultural Service (Costanza et al., 1997; Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2005b; Fiedler et al., 2008; Martín-López et al., 2009).

This paper outlines a need for further study in the area, offers a brief overview of selected results from ongoing doctoral research on the recreational uses of woodland, and introduces an alternative conceptual framework for understanding the socio-cultural services provided by ecosystems. Interim conclusions from the study are discussed, which help to reveal the unique experience a woodland provides for many people. Conclusions from the study will endeavour to explain the unique role of a woodland experience, ultimately contributing to the development of a theory for cultural services within the ecosystem services approach.

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