Ecosystem services valuation along the Johor River Basin: a spatial and economic analysis for sustainable resource management

Purpose The article presents a novel approach to the development of a taxonomy and methodological framework for the valuation of ecosystem services. It addresses the complex challenge that economists face in capturing the full and incremental changes in services across diverse ecosystems, particularly those affected by human activities. This work aims to fill the gaps in current valuation methodologies by incorporating a psychological perspective, suggesting that public understanding of ecosystems significantly diverges from that of conventional economists. Design/methodology/approach The article draws on insights from psychoanalytic psychology, environmental psychology and recent experimental psychology research. It explores how ecological identities form across various levels of decision-making – from local to global – and revisits key psychological concepts such as the self-other dichotomy and connection with nature. The proposed framework advocates for a paradigm shift towards relational goods and reciprocity, integrating interdisciplinary collaboration in the process of ecosystem service valuation. Findings The study highlights the insufficiency of traditional market-based and even advanced valuation techniques, such as the contingent valuation method, in fully capturing the complexity of ecosystem services. It demonstrates that psychological constructs such as ecological identity are crucial to understanding how individuals value ecosystems, suggesting that valuation must go beyond utilitarian considerations. Originality/value This article offers an innovative and interdisciplinary framework that reimagines the dichotomy between market, non-market and missing market valuations. By emphasising relational and psychological dimensions, it promotes a more inclusive and nuanced approach to ecosystem service valuation that challenges conventional economic paradigms and opens new avenues for policy and practice.