Participatory and deliberative assessment of the landscape and natural resource social values of marine and coastal ecosystem services: the case of Kyrenia (Girne) Region from Northern Cyprus.

Abstract

This paper aims to identify and evaluate the landscape and natural resource (traditional ecological knowledge) social values of marine and coastal ecosystem services (MCESs) in Kyrenia (Girne) Region of Northern Cyprus. To this end, the objectives of the study were (1) to identify and evaluate the key landscape social values of MCESs, and (2) to record and assess the major marine and coastal natural resources harvested as traditional ecological knowledge. Participatory and deliberative research techniques were used to uncover both value types. The data on the marine and coastal natural resources as traditional ecological knowledge were obtained from the stakeholders through 6 in-depth discussion groups and 9 in-depth interviews. The quantitative data on the landscape social values of MCESs were collected with a questionnaire designed. Within this context; the respondents scored the importance of MCESs on a five-point Likert scale. The results showed that the stakeholders hold six landscape social values of MCESs: aesthetic, entertainment, life-sustaining, biodiversity, recreation, and nutrition. However, the total average relative degree of MCESs was found to be very low with 1.71 points. Besides, it was determined that the stakeholders harvest 29 fishes and 3 plant species from the marine and coastal ecosystems. The landscape and natural resource social values of MCESs, and relevant traditional ecological knowledge are important cultural heritage and guiding principles, which should be incorporated into the landscape and natural resource management policies in the region and elsewhere. A greater focus should also be given to integrating the values identified in the ecosystem services assessment.