Analyzing ecosystem services from the socio-ecological history: The case of the Huerta de Murcia
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Abstract
In the Mediterranean Basin the ecosystems and social systems have co-evolved historically, forming what is currently denominated socio-ecosystem. This study examines the Huerta de Murcia as a territory where historically the ecosystem and society have coevolved, setting the current socio-ecosystem. A total of 31 ecosystem services (13 provisioning, 10 regulating and 8 cultural services) have been evaluated in eight successive historical periods, which have been delimited taking into account different economics, socio-politic and cultural factors. Results show a notable variability in service provision during these periods of history. It is in the final phase, in the Modern Huerta, where the loss of supply services and regulations has been alarming. However, we have seen a significant increase in cultural services. Results obtained in this paper provide useful information for the management of this particular socio-ecological system.