The impact of green landscape on the socio-cultural value of ecosystem services based on the perceived landscape connectivity concept

Abstract As we enter an era of climate crisis response, ecosystems and human lifestyles are changing, creating a growing demand for solutions that balance ecological and social needs with budget constraints and land-use changes. Climate change impacts both ecosystems and human well-being, making the interaction between humans and ecosystems complex and unpredictable. This study analyzed the relationship between land use and land-cover connectivity and satisfaction/dissatisfaction with ecosystem services (ES) to understand the dynamics of these interactions. We introduced the concept of perceived landscape connectivity (PLC), which assesses landscape continuity, physical connectivity, and accessibility from a human perspective. Using the R package “landscapemetrics,” we analyzed PLC in 18 legal neighborhoods (Dong) in Seoul and examined its correlation with satisfaction/dissatisfaction regarding the socio-cultural value of ES. The results revealed that factors influencing satisfaction and dissatisfaction with ES are distinct rather than opposing. Specifically, decreased aggregation of impermeable surfaces and increased access to water and green spaces boosted satisfaction with urban parks and health-related ES. Conversely, increased aggregation of impermeable surfaces and reduced boundary areas heightened dissatisfaction with biodiversity-based ES. In addition, reduced water-surface aggregation increased dissatisfaction with resilience-based ES, such as natural disaster prevention and heat control. This study highlights the significance of PLC in supporting decision-making processes that enhance ES satisfaction and reduce dissatisfaction, particularly through nature-based solutions (NBS) in urban environments.