We depend on the ecosystem services that nature provides, such as water and air purification. In cities, ecosystem services are decreasing because of anthropogenic activities. To avoid a further reduction in ecosystem services, it is necessary to start mapping ecosystem services. The aim of this study is to develop a GIS-based mapping methodology for these services and to validate this methodology by applying it to two urban areas in Varberg, Sweden. The urban ecosystem services we selected to map in this study are habitats, biodiversity, food production, freshwater, noise reduction, climate regulation, air filtration, pollination, social interactions and health. This study includes a literature review, a field study and a GIS-based working process containing geographic data in ArcMap 10.5.1. Thirteen different policy options, which increase ecosystem services, are listed in the report. The developed five-step methodology include processing, mapping, visualization and analysis. The results show that being able to map urban ecosystem services is a prerequisite to incorporating ecosystem services into city planning. The developed method can also help to map and protect ecosystem services in cities when new urban areas are developed and to promote a sustainable development.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:UPSALLA1/oai:DiVA.org:hh-37327 |
| Date | January 2018 |
| Creators | Ersman, Sofia, Fritiofsson, Isabell |
| Publisher | Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap, Högskolan i Halmstad, Akademin för ekonomi, teknik och naturvetenskap |
| Source Sets | DiVA Archive at Upsalla University |
| Language | Swedish |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Student thesis, info:eu-repo/semantics/bachelorThesis, text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Rights | info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess |
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