Technical Superior Institute, University of Lisbon

Socio-ecological research has provided extensive insights into human-nature interactions. Among
these contributions, various frameworks have emphasized the significance of identity, memories,
heritage, and other non-material benefits to well-being. Notably, Biocultural Heritage (BCH) and
Cultural Ecosystem Services (CES) acknowledge these values. However, studies integrating both
concepts remain largely unexplored. A potential pathway for bridging BCH and CES involves fostering
dialogue between these perspectives within the same case studies.
This communication presents research conducted in Mafra, Portugal, exploring how CES can
influence behavioral intentions across different landscapes in the municipality. Through this
experience, we aim to build research connections by collectively identifying contributions to BCH
frameworks.
CES—defined as the non-material benefits people derive from ecosystems—remain among the least
explored due to their intangible nature. However, over the past decade, they have gained
considerable attention for their role in promoting life-enriching approaches. This growing
recognition has facilitated the integration of cultural dimensions into decision-making processes.
Yet, their intangible nature requires multidisciplinary methodologies to fully harness their potential.
Participatory Geographic Information Systems (PPGIS) are widely used to identify people’s
environmental preferences through transdisciplinary approaches.
The Mafra case study illustrates the use of a participatory mapping questionnaire, employing the
digital tool Maptionnaire (https://www.maptionnaire.com/), to localize CES and assess potential
pro-environmental attitudes within the municipality. Mafra is renowned for its Baroque-style
National Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, alongside other notable attractions such as the
National Hunting Park and the coastal village of Ericeira. Its rich natural heritage plays a key role in
shaping the region’s identity and competitiveness. To further integrate these values into spatial
planning, Mafra was selected as one of the Arenas of Transformation within the Horizon Europe
project Biovalue. This initiative seeks to explore and demonstrate how spatial planning can drive
transformative change for biodiversity. Aligned with the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, the project
aims to identify and scale up opportunities for embedding biodiversity values into the EU’s multi-
level governance framework.
As part of this effort, the questionnaire gathered responses from 240 participants, mapping
locations where citizens engage in identity-based, religious, social, and cultural outdoor activities.
The results revealed higher-density activity areas along the coastline, within the town, and in Tapada
de Mafra. Regarding behavioral intentions, respondents expressed willingness to share information
on social media and volunteer to help protect areas they consider significant.
By examining the roles of stewardship, change, and memory within BCH frameworks, we suggest
that the Mafra case study provides valuable insights into the relationship between identity and
potential pro-environmental behaviors.