Assessment of the relationship between ecosystem services and human wellbeing in the social-ecological landscapes of Lefke Region in North Cyprus

Context Social-ecological landscapes provide essential ecosystem services (ESs) for human wellbeing (HWB). Understanding the relationship between ESs and HWB is important for relevant policy development. Within this context, the purpose of this study is to assess the relationship between ESs and HWB in the social-ecological landscapes of Lefke Region located in North Cyprus. Objectives The objectives of the study include: to assess the relative values of ESs, their contributions to HWB, the relationship between ESs and HWB, and the major drivers of change. Methods The method of the study comprises two parts: (i) to develop a conceptual framework for assessing the linkages between ESs and HWB and (ii) to apply a socio-cultural preference method for evaluating the relative values of ESs and HWB based on local people's perception obtained from a questionnaire. The average relative values were estimated by using a 0-5-point Likert scale. Results The results of the assessment revealed that the respondents perceived 20 ESs with a medium average relative value in all categories of ESs. These services contribute to 11 components of HWB from the highest (security) to the lowest (existence) degree. The relationship between the ESs and HWB changes from medium to low level in relation to several factors (e.g. culture). Several drivers (e.g. urbanization) have caused changes in the ecosystems and flow of ESs. Conclusion The results of this study can contribute to better understanding the human-environment interaction and developing appropriate policies for sustaining ESs and their contributions to HWB in Lefke Region and elsewhere.