Is disability a conditioning factor to perceive cultural ecosystem services? Assessing social perception in a coastal protected dunefield

Abstract

Cultural ecosystem services (CESs) can be defined as the non-material benefits that people obtain from ecosystems. Little research has been conducted on the measurement and assessment of CESs through user perception, especially when the focus is on people with disabilities. The aim of this research is therefore to determine the CESs in a study area and to evaluate their perception by users, especially those with disabilities. The chosen study area is a dunefield with protected status that is typically used as a tourism resource. Located in the south of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain), the area surrounding the dunefield is one of the most important tourist destinations in Spain. The present research use a methodological approach to assess user perception of CESs. This was measured through 654 surveys at a total of 11 urban and natural survey points. Of these 654 surveys, separate analyses were made of the 46 which were held with people with disabilities. Firstly, the statistical relationships between the preferences of the two user types (with and without disabilities) are analyzed and discussed. Secondly, a study is undertaken as to whether the environmental management and/or/land uses of/around this protected area meet the expectations of the users, especially those with disabilities. The main results show that “landscape contemplation” was the most widely acknowledged and valued CES by both user types, especially those surveyed at the urban survey points. The “inspiration to be creative” CES obtained the lowest score at the natural survey points and the “social activities” CES at the urban survey points. Finally, it was found that the type of disability itself was not a statistically significant conditioning factor but that the specific type of disability was. The most influential social variables in the perception of CESs in Maspalomas were, in order, gender, companion, place of residence, age and type of disability. The results presented in this work can be applied to the management of the aeolian sedimentary system and to optimize user experience in the Maspalomas Dunes Special Natural Reserve.