title: Historical and contemporary cultural ecosystem service values in the rapidly urbanizing city state of Singapore.
abstract: Cultural ecosystem services are a function of people and place, so may change as a location transitions from rural to urban. Singapore has undergone rapid urbanization after its independence in 1965, with a concomitant decline in natural habitat extent and accessibility. Using coastal mangrove forests as a case study habitat, changing cultural values were explored with a novel array of techniques, including qualitative archival analysis (photographs, oral histories), current sources (publically uploaded social media photographs), and surveys of (a) the general public and (b) visitors to publically accessible mangroves. Cultural value changed through time, with a significant transition from intrinsic, intrapersonal values (spiritual, cultural heritage) to instrumental, interpersonal values (recreation, education). Additionally, cultural value varied between different mangroves depending on their public accessibility, and the evolving degree of human interaction with the ecosystem as urban development occured. Cultural values change as development transitions, though mangroves still play an important cultural role in a heavily urbanized environment.
authors: Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore.|Environmental Studies Programme, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117546, Singapore.
authors: Jharyathri
authors: J
authors: Thiagarajah
authors: Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore.|Environmental Studies Programme, National University of Singapore, Science Drive 2, Singapore, 117546, Singapore.
authors: Shermaine K M
authors: SK
authors: Wong
authors: Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore.
authors: Daniel R
authors: DR
authors: Richards
authors: Department of Geography, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, Singapore, 117570, Singapore. dan.friess@nus.edu.sg.
authors: Daniel A
authors: DA
authors: Friess
mesh_terms: D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources / Q000191:economics*; D003469:Culture; D004463:Ecology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D012846:Singapore; D014507:Urbanization; D053833:Wetlands
keywords: Coastal; Ecosystem services; Mangrove; Recreation; Singapore; Urbanization