ABSTRACT

This paper investigates what ‘cultural ecosystem services’ are important for nomadic herders’ well-being in Mongolian pasturelands, and how nomads’ knowledge facilitates understanding of these cultural ecosystem services. Nomads’ appreciation of cultural ecosystem services is an aspect of their local knowledge and practices. Interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey were conducted in the case study area of north-east Mongolia to understand what the main cultural ecosystem services relied upon at a local level are, and how people perceive their benefits. The key cultural ecosystem services supporting their well-being are historical and cultural heritage, sacred and religious landscape values, inspirational values of landscape and the symbolic and aesthetic meaning of the landscape. The paper contributes to debates regarding cultural ecosystem services assessment by addressing the importance of memories and perceptions of local communities and emphasising its importance for local decision making.

摘要

本文调查了“文化生态系统服务”对蒙古牧场游牧民福祉的重要性，以及游牧民族的知识如何促进对这些文化生态系统服务的理解。游牧民族对文化生态系统服务的欣赏是他们当地知识和实践的一个方面。在蒙古东北部的案例研究区进行了访谈、焦点小组讨论和家庭调查，以了解当地依赖的主要文化生态系统服务是什么，以及人们如何看待它们的好处。支持他们福祉的关键文化生态系统服务是历史和文化遗产、神圣和宗教景观价值、景观的鼓舞人心的价值以及景观的象征意义和审美意义。