There are a variety of socio-cultural values associated with ecosystem services. These include all of the benefits from nature that contribute to our well being, such as recreation, water and food. Katja Schmidt from Potsdam University discusses an initial OPERAs stakeholder meeting with participants who provided invaluable local insight into the socio-cultural values associated with two Scottish sites. The study ultimately aims to provide evidence, that the Pentland Hills are an invaluable asset to their visitors due to cultural and provisioning and regulating benefits.     

Thomas Klein (OPERAs researcher from ETH Zurich) looks at the conception and design of ecosystem services tools and how these can best account for apparent, but as yet undefined, user needs. Please complete his survey to allow OPERAs to gather this valuable information.