Table 1.
Categories of cultural ecosystem services by the MA

Category	Concept
Cultural diversity	The diversity of ecosystems is one factor influencing the diversity of cultures.
Spiritual and religious values	Many religions attach spiritual and religious values to ecosystems or their components.
Knowledge systems	Ecosystems influence the types of knowledge systems developed by different cultures.
Educational values	Ecosystems and their components and processes provide the basis for both formal and informal education in many societies.
Inspiration	Ecosystems provide a rich source of inspiration for art, folklore, national symbols, architecture, and advertising.
Aesthetic values	Many people find beauty or aesthetic value in various aspects of ecosystems, as reflected in the support for parks, scenic drives, and the selection of housing locations.
Social relations	Ecosystems influence the types of social relations that are established in particular cultures. Fishing societies, for example, differ in many respects in their social relations from nomadic herding or agricultural societies.
Sense of place	Many people value the “sense of place” that is associated with recognized features of their environment, including aspects of the ecosystem.
Cultural heritage values	Many societies place high value on the maintenance of either historically important landscapes (cultural landscapes) or culturally significant species.
Recreation and ecotourism	People often choose where to spend their leisure time based in part on the characteristics of the natural or cultivated landscapes in a particular area.