Assessing and mapping recreationists’ perceived social values for ecosystem services in the Qinling Mountains, China

Abstract Mountain ecosystems tend to have less human intervention and more abundant biodiversity and ecosystem services (ESs). With the development of urbanization, mountain ecotourism has become an important site of leisure for human beings. Understanding how recreationists perceive biodiversity and ESs is important for effective mountain ecotourism planning and eco-environment management. However, there are some difficulties in obtaining human perception data in larger mountain areas. This study collected social value data perceived by recreationists in Taibai Mountain National Forest Park (TMNFP) using questionnaires. On the basis of data of TMNFP and the Social Values for ESs model (SolVES), we evaluated the social values of the Qinling Mountains, where TMNFP is located. This assessment is expressed in terms of a value index (VI) and shows the relationship between the VI and environmental variables in a quantitative and spatially explicit manner. The results showed that the maximum VI (max-VI) of each social value of the Qinling Mountains was high, and the social values were mainly concentrated in areas with high altitude. At the same time, we used forest parks and nature reserves to verify the VIs of aesthetic, recreation and biodiversity. The results showed that the high aggregation degree of sample points was not conducive to value transfer. This study validates the extrapolation method (value transfer) can obtain the social value of large-scale area. These outcomes can help managers and planners to identify specific areas that need improvement.