ASSESSING THE CITIZENS' PERCEPTION OF CULTURAL ECOSYSTEM SERVICES OF A WETLAND

In recent years the concept of "ecosystem services" (ES) has been widely investigated and promoted. ES represent the benefits that ecosystems provide to the community due to different functions of the natural components (e.g. primary production, carbon stock, water and pollutant regulation, biodiversity) but also the cultural services (cultural value, attachment, recreational services) that are linked to such ecosystems. Wetlands are water ecosystems that provide a large variety of services. The "Padule di Fucecchio" in Tuscany, is the biggest Italian inner wetland and represents an important place for migratory birds to feed and nest. In the past, its natural resources (e.g. fish, birds and grasses) were sustainably exploited by the local population to get food and produce ordinary objects by waiving, while nowadays most part of the area is a private hunting reserve and only 10% surface is protected as CIS of Natura2000 network. Moreover, the area is historically known for the Nazi retaliation during the IIWW, thus it is often remembered for this cruel event. The objective of this study was to assess people perception about the importance of the area for cultural and recreational purposes and assess their opinion about the extent of actual promotion. The study was performed by the students of the high school Scientific Lyceum Coluccio Salutati, located in the town of Montecatini, the biggest town near the wetland, who developed an online questionnaire that was used to survey local people. 70 responses were collected in three weeks. The results show that respondents are aware about the natural richness of the wetland, and about its importance for recreational purposes. More than 50% visited the protected area for recreational purposes prior the survey and 66% participated in the activities offered by the managers of the protected area. The majority think that the wetland is more important for recreational rather than productive activities and that its protection is very important. They also suggested tourism services such as renting binoculars and bikes and presence of a professional operator at the birdwatching observatory.