Open-source spatial modeling of cultural ecosystem services using crowdsourced data

Ecosystem services, which are a crucial component of sustainable urban development and natural resource management, significantly contribute to understanding and evaluating the interactions between human activities and natural ecosystems. Landscapes encompass diverse ecosystems characterized by both natural and cultural significance. Modeling the benefits and services provided by these landscapes, particularly within the domain of cultural ecosystem services, facilitates a deeper comprehension of ecological-social dynamics. This study aims to spatially model cultural ecosystem services in the Seyhan Basin using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) machine learning algorithm. Key inputs for the modeling process include data on land use, transportation networks, water bodies, religious structures, sports and recreation areas, and tourism/related infrastructures. The cultural ecosystem services of the Seyhan Basin are categorized into four primary themes: cultural heritage, sports and recreation, religious and spiritual values, and natural area and landscape aesthetics. The results of this study provide critical insights into the potential spatial distribution of cultural ecosystem services, offering a robust foundation for local authorities and decision-makers in tourism planning, protected area management, and sustainable urban development. Moreover, the identification of intangible benefits such as recreation, tourism and aesthetics contributes to the development of sustainable planning approaches in line with the ecological and socio-cultural functions of the landscape.