This study aims at identifying and evaluating the distinct social perspectives of stakeholders regarding the agro-ecosystem services (AESs) at different scales in Kyrenia Region of Northern Cyprus. To do so, the major objectives of the study were (i) to elicit the shared stakeholders' perspectives of AESs and (ii) to record the agro-ecosystem plant biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge as a provider of AESs. The method of the study consisted of several parts: to design a conceptual framework for the assessment of AESs; to identify the typology of AESs, and to employ qualitative (Participatory Rural Appraisal e.g. focus groups and field surveys) and quantitative (Q-Methodology) research methods to collect and evaluate the relevant data. The first stage of the Q-methodology was to conduct 8 focus groups and field surveys (n: 80), which helped to collect the qualitative data on the agro-ecosystem plant biodiversity and associated traditional knowledge. Subsequently, the Q-method was applied to collect the quantitative data on the stakeholders’ perspectives of AESs. The Q-participants ranked a total of 48 Q-statements into a forced quasi-normal distribution in 11 categories (from +5 to −5). The relevant data were analysed by performing the Q-factor analysis. The results revealed that the stakeholders hold three prominent social perspectives (utilitarian, bequest-science, and heritage-existence), which display the landscape social values of AESs. The relevant assessment showed that the agro-ecosystems are mostly valued for their cultural services delivered. Assessment of the qualitative data elicited that the stakeholders collect 21 wild edible plants and 2 mushroom species for several purposes (e.g. food and income generation) from the natural areas located within and around agro-ecosystems. The relevant traditional knowledge demonstrates the natural resource social values of AESs. Consequently, the landscape and natural social values of AESs are important cultural values and also guiding principles for the sustainable conservation and management of agro-biodiversity, agricultural landscapes, and agro-ecosystems in Kyrenia Region and elsewhere.

本研究旨在识别和评估利益相关者对农业生态系统服务的不同社会观点(AES) 在北塞浦路斯凯里尼亚地区的不同尺度。为此，该研究的主要目标是 (i) 引起利益相关者对 AES 的共同观点，以及 (ii) 作为 AES 提供者记录农业生态系统植物生物多样性和相关传统知识。研究方法由几个部分组成：设计用于评估 AES 的概念框架；确定 AES 的类型，并采用定性（参与式农村评估，例如焦点小组和实地调查）和定量（Q 方法）研究方法来收集和评估相关数据。Q 方法的第一阶段是进行 8 个焦点小组和实地调查（n：80），这有助于收集有关农业生态系统植物生物多样性和相关传统知识的定性数据。随后，应用 Q 方法收集有关利益相关者对 AES 观点的定量数据。Q 参与者将总共 48 个 Q 语句排列成 11 个类别（从 +5 到 -5）的强制准正态分布。通过进行Q因子分析来分析相关数据。结果表明，利益相关者持有三种突出的社会观点（功利主义、遗赠科学和遗产存在），这些观点展示了 AES 的景观社会价值。相关评估表明，农业生态系统主要因其提供的文化服务而受到重视。对定性数据的评估表明，利益相关者出于多种目的（例如食物和创收）从位于农业生态系统内部和周围的自然区域收集了 21 种野生食用植物和 2 种蘑菇。相关的传统知识展示了 AES 的自然资源社会价值。因此，AES 的景观和自然社会价值是重要的文化价值，也是凯里尼亚地区和其他地方农业生物多样性、农业景观和农业生态系统可持续保护和管理的指导原则。