Perceptions Of Ecosystem Services Research Articles

Perception of Mangrove Social–Ecological System Governance in Southeastern Cuba

This study examined local communities’ perceptions of mangroves in coastal southeastern Cuba. A variety of methods were employed, including mixed and structured questionnaire surveys, interviews with key informants, and document reviews. Data were gathered from 334 respondents living in communities adjacent to four mangrove social–ecological systems (SESs). The analysis focused on five variables: community use of mangrove resources, ecosystem services, threats to the ecosystem, management activities, and social–ecological relationships. To qualitatively assess the influence of social–ecological relationships and governance, a matrix was created based on anthropogenic activities identified by respondents and their perceptions of ecosystem services. A Spearman’s rank correlation analysis was performed between demographic variables and identified mangrove uses. The Kruskal–Wallis test was used to compare the frequency of mangrove uses and the perception of ecosystem services among the studied areas. The results indicate that, while local people recognise the uses and ecosystem services of mangroves, they do not rely on them for their livelihoods. Perceptions of ecosystem services vary significantly depending on the occupation of the respondents and the locality. They also showed moderate to full awareness of management responsibilities and activities at each site. The most commonly identified threats were climate change, drought, and deforestation. Three types of social–ecological relationships were identified based on the characteristics of the communities, their economic activities, and their impacts on the mangroves: urban–industrial, rural–agricultural, and rural–agricultural/tourism. Based on the results, recommendations are made for ecosystem governance in the southeast of Cuba.

Perceived ecosystem services differ substantially from calculated services using biophysical models

ContextEcosystem services are fundamental for the well-being of residents and are an important basis for making regional sustainable development decisions. Existing studies mainly capture ecosystem services perceived by residents through questionnaires, or quantify the provision of regional ecosystem services through economic evaluation and biophysical evaluation. However, the discrepancy between model calculations and residents' perceptions remains lacking.ObjectivesRapidly urbanizing watersheds can serve as a prime example for exploring the differences in ecosystem service outcomes between the two perspectives.MethodsIn this study, we quantified the potential supply of nine ecosystem services and residents' perceptions of these services in the Guanting Reservoir basin through biophysical modelling and questionnaire surveys. We then analyzed the discrepancies between the two perspectives through the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.ResultsThe results showed that among the vast majority of the population, half of the nine ecosystem services exhibited significant differences in comparisons between perceived values and model-calculated ones. The differences were more prominent for regulating and supporting services among urban residents, while for provisioning and cultural services among rural residents.Conclusions These differences highlight the necessity to consider quantitative results from diverse perspectives as well as on the benefits of different groups of interest. In rapidly urbanizing watersheds, infrastructure should be reinforced in rural areas to enhance rural residents’ accessibility of ecosystem services. With regard to urban areas, particular attention should be directed towards changes in regulating and supporting services.

How Rural Communities Relate to Nature in Sub-Saharan Regions: Perception of Ecosystem Services Provided by Wetlands in South-Kivu

Research on ecosystem services (ES) has become central to landscape planning, framing the relationship between people and nature. In Sub-Saharan regions, local communities rely heavily on wetlands for various ES. For the first time, we assessed perceptions of ES provided by these wetlands, focusing on marshes, peatlands, swamps, and inland valleys/floodplains in eastern DR Congo. Fieldwork combined with a survey of 510 households, using both open-ended and 35 direct questions, evaluated perceptions of wetland ecosystem services (WESs). The most frequently reported WES were provisioning (38%) and regulating (24%), while supporting (22%) and cultural (16%) were less mentioned. These perceptions varied across wetland types and among communities based on gender, religion, seniority in wetland use, land tenure, and educational level. Rural communities had a deep relationship with nature, shaped by cultural, economic, and geographical factors. Wetlands are viewed positively as sources of goods but also negatively as sources of diseases. A structural equation model (SEM) helped in identifying four latent variables—livelihood, knowledge, personal, and geographical factors—driving WES perceptions. These findings are relevant for developing wetland management policies and suggest including community engagement and collaboration in wetland restoration and regulatory frameworks.

Community perceptions towards the ecosystem services of urban forests in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia

Urban forests are crucial providers of ecosystem services, delivering significant benefits to residents and the environment. This study aimed to investigate how residents in Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia, perceive the ecosystem services provided by urban forests. Understanding these perceptions is essential, particularly in developing countries and the study area, where little research has been conducted on this topic. To achieve this objective, a questionnaire-based survey was conducted among randomly selected household heads from two sub-cities within Mekelle. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics, including Spearman rank correlation and ordinal regression analysis. These analyses helped identify the factors influencing inhabitants’ perceptions of ecosystem services. The findings revealed that residents placed a high value on the regulating ecosystem services provided by urban forests. In contrast, provisioning, supporting, and cultural ecosystem services were perceived at a medium level. Additionally, the analysis indicated that the level of education and age of respondents were significant factors influencing their overall perception of these ecosystem services. Higher educational attainment and older age were associated with a greater appreciation of the ecosystem services offered by urban forests. This study has important implications for urban forest management and policy. It highlights the necessity of incorporating community perceptions of ecosystem services into urban planning and management efforts. Moreover, the study recommends the need for local governments to focus on raising community awareness about the ecosystem services provided by urban forests. This can ensure more effective and inclusive urban forest management strategies that align with community values and needs.

Ecosystem Services Approach in Turnicki National Park Planning: Factors Influencing the Inhabitants’ Perspectives on Local Natural Resources and Protected Areas

Despite changing paradigms in nature conservation, protected areas, such as national parks, remain key tools for nature conservation. Today, protected areas are perceived as socio-ecological systems, therefore using an ecosystem services approach may help in their designation. Here, we focus on the planned Turnicki National Park located in the far eastern part of the Polish Carpathian Mountains and conflict between proponents of the park establishment and local stakeholders. We used an ecosystem services-driven questionnaire survey among local communities to analyze interactions between the perception of ecosystem services and opinions about national parks, and the role of social and economic status in shaping these opinions. We found links between opinions towards national parks and other factors: age, life span in a municipality, level of education, and an average net income. Respondents who perceived benefits from nature were more positive towards national parks in general and the Turnicki National Park specifically; however, those who prioritized provisioning services were more skeptical. Also, we distinguished four Fuzzy-Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis models which describe factors shaping opinions on national parks, respectively. The study has shown that the ecosystem services lens perspective can help in exploring the factors crucial while establishing the protected areas in specific social and economic context. The main implication for the study is careful consideration of the role of national park to protect the local environment in harmony with social needs and economic development.

Evaluation of ecosystem services vis-à-vis perceptions and attitudes of local communities towards Wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya

Valuation of ecosystem services along with the perceptions and attitudes of local communities is crucial for sustainable management of wetlands. This study assesses changes in wetland area and bathymetry, and provides insights into local community's perceptions of ecosystem services, and attitudes towards wetland conservation in Kashmir Himalaya, India. High-resolution satellite data was used to assess land use land cover (LULC) changes within the wetland. The bathymetry changes were assessed by performing depth measurements before and after dredging in 2019 and 2022, respectively. Perceptions of ecosystem services and attitudes of residents towards wetland management were examined through surveys in 182 households from the target population of 334 families. The findings reveal that Khushalsar wetland provides important provisioning (food, fodder, thatching mats, fish, vegetables), regulating (flood control, carbon sequestration, water quality improvement), supporting (habitat, biomass and oxygen production, water and nutrient cycling), and cultural services (aesthetic, education, spiritual). The economic benefits from provisioning services range from 240 USD/yr for minor vegetables to 1201–1802 USD/0.05 ha/yr for Nelumbo nucifera. The analysis of LULC changes indicates a ∼16.5% reduction in wetland area from 1980 to 2017, with a further ∼10% decrease from 2017 to 2021, resulting in an overall loss of ∼25% (27.1 ha) in wetland area from 1980 to 2021. Bathymetric assessments reveal an increase in maximum depth from 427 cm in 2019 to 547 cm in 2022 following dredging activities. Socioeconomic analysis showed the significance of Khushalsar wetland as an important source of livelihood for local communities. Survey results indicate that all the respondents have positive attitudes towards the protection and management of the Khushalsar wetland. The study demonstrates that human conservation activities have significantly contributed to positive changes in the wetland such as increase in depth and flood storage capacity. The study concludes that government protection along with active participation of local communities is indispensable for sustainable management of wetlands.

Factors influencing the relationship between perceptions of ecosystem services and well-being of farmers in the ore-agriculture zone, China

Understanding the coupling relationship between ecosystem service perceptions (ESP) and farmers’ well-being (FWB) in the ore-agriculture zone plays an important strategic role in maintaining regional ecological security and improving the well-being of regional farmers. Based on field research, questionnaire surveys and other methods, this study took farmers around the coal mining development zone as research subjects and used a comprehensive multi-index assessment method to evaluate the level of ESP and the FWB in the research area. A coupling coordination degree model was used to analyze the coupling relationship between ESP and FWB, and the random forest model was used to explore the influencing factors of the coupling relationship between the two. The results showed: (1) The FWB index was moderate and the ESP index was low. Farmers’ perceptions of the different ecosystem services varied, with provisioning services being perceived most strongly and supporting services least strongly. Satisfaction with basic material needs was highest on the well-being assessment. (2) The overall state of ESP and FWB coupling was good, with most of them in the state of coordination improvement. From the perspective of dimensional differentiation, the coupling of the dimensions of ESP and FWB was poorly coordinated, and all of them were in the state of dysfunction regression. (3) The coupling relationship between ESP and FWB was influenced by both environmental and household characteristics, with the former having a stronger effect. The results of this study can serve as a reference for promoting the coordination of ESP and FWB in the ore-agriculture zone, and ultimately realize the sustainable development of ecology and human in the ore-agriculture zone.

Ecosystem service research in the dry subtropics: Current state, temporal changes and drivers of regional variability

Dry subtropical (DST) regions that share similar climatic and topographic conditions exhibit today significant disparities in population density, agricultural intensity, wealth and cultural values. In addition, they are also facing increasing pressures on their natural resources. These attributes collectively shape individuals' varying dependence on natural resources and may influence their perception of ecosystem services (ES). In this study, we conducted a systematic literature review, focusing on the DST regions, to address two main questions: 1) What is the current state, temporal trends and regional variability in scientific research on ES and 2) What are the potential drivers of the variability in ES research? Amongst the 471 publications found in our review, 53% focused on provisioning services, followed nearly equally by cultural (33%) and regulating (30%) services. Only 13% addressed more than one ES category and approximately 33% mentioned economic valuation. Our study reveals that research on ES in the dry subtropics experienced a significant increase from 2005 onwards. Approximately 45% of the publications included the term 'ecosystem service' and its frequency has risen substantially over time. Most publications primarily focus on African dry subtropics (over 60%), followed by South and North American ones. Publications from southern Asia and NE Australia were more scarce. Importantly, we found no clear relationship between the number of publications, publication density or representativeness and the variables used as indicators of human pressure (e.g. population density). Consequently, research efforts in the DST regions appear to be influenced by a diverse range of financial and institutional constraints, international research agendas, as well as the personal interests of researchers, contributing to the idiosyncratic nature of this field.

Perceptions and knowledge of ecosystem services in urban river systems, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The ecosystem services concept has been studied in rural contexts but not as much in urban landscapes, particularly for aquatic ecosystems in Africa. There is little knowledge of how people perceive ecosystem services (ES) supplied by rivers in urban centres and the factors influencing their perceptions. To fill this gap, the research presented here addresses two objectives: 1) to assess local communities’ perception and knowledge of different types of ecosystem services of an urban river in South Africa, 2) to assess the influence of particular demographic characteristics (age and gender), socio-economic characteristics (education, housing type, income, and years of residence), and prior knowledge of the ecosystem services concept on people’s perception of the ecosystem services provided by the Swartkops River in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. To address these objectives, a team of ten trained field staff collected 181 surveys between May–June 2021 in communities within the river catchment. We used multinomial logit models to analyse the relationships between demographic and socio-economic variables, and people’s perception of ecosystem services. For the majority of the ecosystem services, there was almost an equal split between the perception “sometimes” and “never” that the river provides a particular ecosystem service, and people were less likely to say that the river always provide a particular service. Prior knowledge of the ecosystem services concept, years of residence, age, income and housing type significantly influence people’s perception of ecosystem services. Prior knowledge, was important for the intangible services, whereas years of residence was more important for tangible services with direct use value. Level of formal education was not a significant variable. An important implication of this study is that ecological interventions can be designed through an understanding of factors influencing people’s perceptions of ecosystem services.

Residents’ perceptions of ecosystem services in an urbanizing basin: A case study in the Guanting Reservoir basin, China

Understanding stakeholders’ differences in perceptions of ecosystem services (ES) is crucial for guiding ecological conservation and planning. However, the variations of ES perception amongst different types of residents in urbanizing areas along an urban-rural gradient are still poorly understood. Combining a questionnaire-based survey, redundancy analysis, and statistical tests, we delineated the urban-rural gradient according to local residents’ socio-economic characteristics, and investigated the differences in local residents’ perceptions of ES and potential factors affecting them in the Guanting Reservoir basin, a rapidly urbanizing basin in China. The results showed that residents living in urban-rural transitional areas attached great importance to provisioning services of providing food and domestic water, regulating services of carbon sequestration and air purification, and cultural services of providing education and training, which were 0.7%–13.1%, 0.7%–9.1% and 2.5%–21.2% higher than that of residents in other areas, respectively. Age and occupation were major factors affecting residents’ perceptions. In terms of land-use types that deliver ES, the difference in perceptions of ES delivered by grassland was the greatest amongst residents. Our results support recommendations for policymakers to take into account the stakeholders’ diverse perceptions, thus promoting residents’ sense of gain on ES.

A Measurement of Perceptions of the Forest Ecosystem among Visitors to the AL-Sunut Forest Reserve in Khartoum, Sudan

The present study aimed to understand visitors’ perceptions of the ecosystem service functions of the AL-Sunut Forest Reserve, as well as their recreational activities. Here, the impact of respondents’ socioeconomic status on visitors’ perceptions was statistically analyzed by t-tests and ANOVA (SPSS software v26). Meanwhile, multiple regression analysis was conducted to identify the relationships between factors shaping respondents’ perceptions of the AL-Sunut Forest during recreational activities. A total of 441 visitors were randomly selected and questioned through a questionnaire survey during February and March 2020. The results showed that visitors believed the recreational forest site was important and valuable and were willing to revisit it. Visitors also demonstrated a particular understanding of the ecosystem services provided by the forest ecosystem. There were significant differences in perceptions of ecosystem services among visitors of different backgrounds. The findings indicated that 79% of participants responded positively towards the importance of environmental education compared with any other education. In addition, 90% of respondents believed that habitats and natural resources such as forests must be protected. The results of the recreational activities of visitors showed that they acquired the most benefits when experiencing picturesque scenery and walking. Overall, the present findings can pave the way for decision-makers to develop a unique plan focusing on forests to implement an exhaustive approach to assessing the value of ecosystem services while emphasizing the general public’s welfare. The study’s results can also contribute to the future management of the AL-Sunut Forest.

Public perceptions towards urban horticulture in front-yard greenhouses: Unveiling ecosystem services and practices for sustainable and resilient city

In the pursuit of sustainability and resilience, urban horticulture holds immense promise for cities. This paper delves into the captivating realm of urban horticulture preferences in Iran, unraveling the factors that shape individuals' inclinations. The results highlight the influence of greenhouse design on urban horticulture preferences. Urban dwellers prioritize cultural ecosystem services over regulating and provisioning services when engaging in urban horticulture activities. Anticipated ecosystem services differ among various socio-demographic groups. Different greenhouse elements evoke distinct perceptions of ecosystem services. However, certain greenhouses can improve the overall perception of ecosystem services due to the strong correlations between different types of services.

Exploring Landscape Values and Willingness to Pay for Perceived Ecosystem Services: The Case of Malampaya Sound, a Socio-Ecological Production Landscape and Seascape

Since the 1990s, the Philippines has established numerous protected areas aimed at preserving regions with distinct biological and ecological characteristics. However, transitioning towards a more comprehensive approach to managing these protected areas, one that effectively conserves biodiversity while also supporting the welfare of local communities, remains a formidable task. Understanding the sources of the goods and services upon which communities rely, whether directly or indirectly, and their perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is a crucial aspect that can inform decision-making for both protected area managers and policymakers. This research specifically examines the mapping of landscape values as perceived by local communities within Malampaya Sound Protected Landscape and Seascape (MSPLS) in the Philippines. Using survey questionnaires administered to 114 randomly selected participants, the study identifies the ESs within MSPLS and maps the associated landscape values. The respondents were tasked with assigning values to the ESs using a typology of 14 landscape values, and their willingness to pay (WTP) to enhance the ESs within MSPLS was also investigated. Analysis of socio-demographic data, the identified ESs, and the perceived landscape values was conducted to uncover significant relationships between the variables. Our findings reveal that the respondents prioritize provisioning services, particularly fisheries, agriculture, and agroforestry. Regarding landscape value preferences, economic value is most prominently perceived (37.4%), followed by subsistence value (30.8%) and life-sustaining value (6.8%). This study further unveils the socio-economic factors influencing the ranking of ESs and trends in WTP for ES improvements in Malampaya. Additionally, a potential payment for ecosystem services scheme in MSPLS is estimated at PHP 532,000, approximately USD 10,600.

Ecological restoration effectiveness assessment based on social media analytics: A case study of Yongding River, China

The ecological restoration of river basin is sensitive to ecosystem service variation. However, previous ecological restoration effectiveness assessments often ignore the social perception of ecosystem services. This paper proposed an integrated effectiveness assessment framework for ecological restoration incorporating public satisfaction level. The InVEST model was deployed to compute four key ecosystem services, which are water conservation, water purification, soil retention, and carbon storage, by using both market price and in-lieu cost methods. Then, public satisfaction as incorporated into cultural services was quantified via social media analytics using the travel cost method. Taking the Yongding River as a case, we analyzed its pre- and post-ecological restoration performance during 2015–2021 using the proposed framework. The results showed that the ecosystem service value surged by $2664.19 million, resulting in an ecosystem service change index (ESCI) of 24.49%. In particular, a 20.27% increase in the public satisfaction level was found. Public satisfaction contributed 39.25% to the total increase in the ecosystem service value of the Yongding River. Our study may provide support for ecological restoration strategies concerning both physical and public demand aspects.

Using mental model approach for ascertaining socio-cultural perceptions of forest-based ecosystem services among female forest landowners in Georgia, United States

ABSTRACT In the southern United States (US), female forest landowners (FeFLs) constitute 27% of family forest landowners, owning approximately 12.1 million ha of forestland. With changing demographic trends, FeFLs will likely own more forestlands in the foreseeable future. Understanding FeFLs’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is vital as their management decisions will impact the flow of forest-based ESs. Our study used a mental model approach to comprehensively understand FeFLs’ socio-cultural perceptions of ESs. Interviews with 39 FeFLs in Georgia, US, highlighted diverse perceptions of forest-based ESs encompassing cultural, provisioning, regulating, and supporting services. The FeFLs’ mental model revealed five thematic areas on ESs perceptions: economics, personal enjoyment, family and heritage, forestland as a place for social activity, and environmental benefits. The economics theme emerged distinctly regardless of their ownership type or forestland proximity, whereas personal enjoyment, family and heritage, and forestland as a place for social activity demonstrated place attachment. Co-owners linked forest management more closely to economics than sole-owners. Residential FeFLs valued social benefits, while non-residential landowners emphasized biodiversity significance. Our findings provide crucial insights for shaping inclusive strategies and policies, enhancing forest management among FeFLs, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring the sustainability of forestlands in the region.

Perceived Status Of Ecosystem Services Emanating From A Forest Reserve: Evidence From Atewa Range Forest Reserve In Ghana.

Forest ecosystem services play an integral part in the realization of global sustainable development goals due to their potential contribution to climate change mitigation and forest-based livelihoods in marginalized rural parts of the world. The Atewa Forest Range Reserve has been recognized to support forest-based livelihoods in adjacent communities and even urban areas of Ghana. While this contribution is acknowledged, information on the current status of the reserve's ecosystem services which are under serious threats from human-induced activities, remains fragmented. Therefore, through a household survey of 150 respondents complemented by key informant interviews (n = 9), this research assessed the awareness and perceptions of people on the current status of the Atewa Forest Range Reserve and its ecosystem services as well as the major drivers of change that seem to threaten the provision of these ecosystem services. Our results point to provisioning services as the most widely utilized ecosystem service, leading to their significant decline with the potential to affect the livelihoods of the local populations. Respondents' awareness and the relative importance they ascribe to the reserve's ecosystem services reinforced their appreciation for these services and interest in their sustainable management. Our results suggest the need for understanding local perceptions of ecosystem services to guide the prioritization of management decisions for balancing both utilization and conservation goals. A co-management approach that fosters the strategic inclusion of local communities in decision-making regarding the forest reserve could contribute to collaborative relationships and further increase positive perceptions of locals to preserve the reserve's ecological functions.

Exploring residents' perceptions of ecosystem services in nature reserves to guide protection and management

Understanding residents' perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is important for modern ecosystem management. However, these perceptions are often overlooked in managing nature reserves, leading to decreased residents' participation in policy implementation. This study proposes to investigate the perceptions and ecological concepts contained in ESs among residents using a questionnaire survey. The results showed that: (1) Residents prioritize supporting services and they value “leisure and recreation” the most, followed by “air purification” and “habitat for animals and plants”. (2) Perceptions of different ESs have significant spatial differences, and distance significantly affects residents' perceptions. (3) Most types of ESs are significantly correlated with each other, and indigenous ecological concept has a profound impact on their perceptions. (4) Education and livelihood play a positive effect on the perceptions of ESs, while nationality, gender, age, distance, and relief show a negative influence. Improving education levels, establishing community rules and regulations, strengthening humans and nature connections, using ecological indigenous concepts in environmental management, and integrating residents' perceptions into regional development planning are some suggested solutions. This research study provides valuable insights into incorporating residents' perceptions and indigenous knowledge into ecological management and policy development at local and regional levels.

Perceptions of ecosystem services and knowledge of sustainable development goals around community and private wetlands users in a rapidly growing city

Urban wetlands are well-known to provide multiple ecosystem services and are essential for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The management practices of local institutions are strongly influential on the sustainability outcomes of urban wetlands, yet the beliefs and value systems underlying distinct management approaches have not been studied thoroughly. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the perceptions of local stakeholders regarding the ecosystem services provided by urban wetlands, their linkages to the SDGs, and pertinent threats to the wetlands, to reveal the connections between local awareness and sustainable management practices. Using the East Kolkata Wetlands (EKW) in India as a case study, we used a mixed-method approach to interview 120 local stakeholders associated with two differentially managed wetland systems – community and private. Our results demonstrate that the community wetlands are more socially inclusive in nature than the private wetlands. The private users emphasized economic benefits and livelihood security above all, whereas the community users strongly valued diverse provisioning services and cultural services in addition to the livelihood security. Further, community users identified a greater number of ecosystem services as contributing toward the SDGs relative to private users. We suggest that sustainable development strategies consult and incorporate the perceptions of local community wetland management groups, as these management practices are rooted in more comprehensive value systems and are more aligned with sustainable outcomes. These insights reveal the importance of local awareness of ecosystem services, and may be of value to urban planners and policymakers working toward sustainable urban management.

Perception of Ecosystem Services from Podolian Farming System in Marginal Areas of Southern Italy

Ecosystem services (ESs) are gaining increasing interest among researchers, local communities, and policymakers. The farming of Podolian cattle in the remote and marginal areas of southern Italy plays an important socio-economic role. This study aimed to assess the perception of ESs provided by Podolian cattle farming in the Basilicata region among the local actors and stakeholders. Using a questionnaire administered to 198 respondents, the level of agreement and disagreement was assessed on a 1–5 scale for the four main ESs: cultural, regulating, supporting, and provisioning. On average, the perception of ESs related to Podolian cattle farming was positive. However, the role of promoting tourism in the region was somewhat controversial, and the results in terms of regulation were divisive. The perception of provisioning services had a highly positive result. Further research is needed to better understand the role of Podolian cattle farming in the Basilicata region, providing more explicit guidance for local communities and policymakers.

On conservation of world heritage Beijing-Hangzhou grand canal for enhancing cultural ecosystem services

The Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal carries unique social and cultural significance as a world cultural heritage, but with the acceleration of global urbanization, it has potentially severe environmental risks under continuous anthropogenic disturbances. Therefore, to protect the ecological and cultural values of the Grand Canal, it is necessary to assess the corresponding relationship of water quality to land use and the perception of ecosystem services that focus on cultural ecosystem services (CES). This study aims to analyze the water quality response to land use in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, describe the land use types closely related to water quality, and propose corresponding management strategies for enhancing CES. This study investigated the impacts of land use structure and landscape pattern on water quality by calculating the correlation between land use structure and landscape pattern indices and water quality in buffer zones of different distances on both sides of the canal. The results show that green land dominates the land use structure and can effectively reduce water pollution in the canal. On the other hand, urban impervious surfaces showed a significant positive correlation with pollution contributing to low water quality. We accessed the impact of water quality on the perception of CES in the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal and proposed optimization strategies for promoting CES. Both content analysis and thematic analysis were applied to analyze the impact of the water environment quality of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal on the perception of CES. We found that the perceptions of CES along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal are associated with the public’s opinions on its cultural heritage services and artistic inspiration services. The perceptions of CES are closely related to the quality of the water environment and riparian greenness, which affect the values of cultural heritage and conservation of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.