ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the gap between the recognized importance of cultural ecosystem services (CES) and their limited incorporation into policy frameworks, using examples of countries in Southeast Asia. While CES are consistently ranked highly by users and environmental managers, they are often overlooked in favor of policies focused on instrumental and material ecosystem services. Yet recognizing and incorporating CES into policy design can offer significant advantages, including increased public support for ecosystem management, reduced conflicts over resources, and economic, health, and well-being benefits. However, challenges remain in translating the value of CES into terms decision-makers understand, which the chapter highlights through interviews with different actors in Indonesia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand. While some current policies acknowledge CES, particularly in relation to tourism and payments for ecosystem services (PES), these existing policies tend to neglect the relational and intangible aspects of CES. The chapter concludes by calling for more research on CES, particularly in collaboration with decision-makers alongside diverse valuation methods that capture the multifaceted nature of CES and translate these into supportive and sustainable policies.
