Key Drivers of Ecosystem Cultural Service Value: Insights from Zhalong Nature Reserve

Abstract Recent advancements in the field of ecosystem service valuation have emerged from deepening research in ecosystem functions. Nonetheless, the study of ecosystem cultural services has predominantly concentrated on qualitative aspects. A substantive need exists for further exploration into their quantitative assessment through multidimensional analysis. This emphasizes the critical significance of identifying and understanding the factors that influence the valuation of ecosystem cultural services. Using the Zhalong Nature Reserve as a case study, this research categorizes influencing factors and explores their interrelationships. A path model was developed to examine the effect of geographical environment, resource endowment, government intervention, development level, and market demand. The findings reveal that these factors not only interact among themselves but also collectively enhance the value of ecosystem cultural services. This research contributes valuable insights for augmenting the value of ecosystem cultural services, provides a robust scientific framework, and serves as a reference for future studies.