Cultural Services

Cultural services are services concerning human interactions with nature. Cultural services are directly related to the feelings associated with nature, aesthetic experiences, inspiration received, and the happiness derived from ecotourism and recreational activities carried out in nature.

Nowadays, the place of cultural services in research related to ecosystem services is increasingly growing (DKM, 2020). Cultural ecosystem services are categorized as; aesthetic enjoyment, recreation & tourism, inspiration for culture, art, and design, spiritual experience, cognitive development, and existence value. 

Aesthetic Enjoyment: Forests offer aesthetic pleasure to people with their natural beauty. 

 

 

 

Recreation and Tourism: Forests allow for many recreational activities such as nature walks, camping, picnicking, and sports activities. They also create economic value by forming attraction centers for the tourism sector. 

Inspiration for Culture, Art, and Design: Forest ecosystems serve as a source of inspiration for literature, music, architecture, and other art forms. 

 

 

Spiritual Experience: Forests offer people opportunities for peace, tranquility, and spiritual renewal. Especially for those seeking to escape the stress of city life, forests serve as a sanctuary. 

 

 

Cognitive Development: Forests provide an important learning area for nature education and creating environmental awareness. Children and adults support their cognitive development by learning about the natural environment through time spent in forests. 

 

Existence Value: The existence of forests creates not only a use-based value for people; it is also filled with cultural, historical, and emotional meanings. Forests are seen as a heritage to be passed on to future generations and have indispensable importance for the sustainability of life.