ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on lessons learnt for stewardship of ecosystem services within urban social–ecological systems. It draws on more than 15 years of empirical work within cities in relation to ecosystem service generation in urban landscapes, particularly regulating ecosystem services, and their stewardship with enabling institutions, social networks and involvement of local user groups and civil society in green area management and governance. The work in the Stockholm urban landscape, Sweden, has helped reveal green areas and eco-system services not previously perceived in urban planning and clarified mismatches between institutions, governance, and urban ecosystems for human well-being. Often, green space in urban areas can be remnants of a cultural landscape with biodiversity-rich habitats. Increasing people's awareness of how their actions impact the biosphere is not just a matter of close proximity to green areas, stewardship is about getting involved, which in turn may be facilitated by institutional designs and social movements.
