Spatial correlation between the cultural ecosystem services and the bio-physical variables in Southern Patagonia.

MARTÍNEZ PASTUR, G; PERI, P; LENCINAS, MV; GARCÍA-LLORENTE, M; MARTÍN-LÓPEZ, B

Congreso; V Jornadas y II Congreso Argentino de Ecología de Paisajes; 2015

Few studies analysed the spatial distribution of culturalecosystem services (CES) based on social perceptions. The objective was toidentify CES hotspots, and the enabling factors that characterize such hotspotsas well as spatial associations between CES in Southern Patagonia (Argentina).We used geo-tagged digital images that local people and visitors posted in thePanoramio web platform for four CES (aesthetic, existence, recreation, localidentity) and we relate the hotspots with socio-biophysical landscapesfeatures. Aesthetic value was the main CES tagged by people, followed by theexistence of biodiversity, local identity, and recreational activity. Thespatial distribution of these CES is associated with differentsocio-biophysical characteristics (water bodies, vegetation types, protected areas,urbanization, accessibility and tourism business).The employed methodologyallows us to define hotspots for the different CES and to determine thesocio-biophysical characteristics that contribute to their provision, accordingto the specific particularities in each of the regions.