Ecosystem services assessment of a singular socio-ecosystem through history: "La Huerta de Murcia"

Abstract

Gutiérrez, P., Suárez, M.L., Vidal-Abarca, M.R. 2015. Ecosystem services assessment of a singular socio-ecosystem through history: "La Huerta de Murcia". Ecosistemas 24(3): 51-60. Doi.: 10.7818/ECOS.2015.24-3.08

The evaluation of services provided by ecosystems has become an important framework during the last few decades for socio-ecological research. This paper examines the Huerta de Murcia as a territory where historically the ecosystem and society have coevolved, setting the current socio-ecosystem. Although there are several studies of different kinds regarding the Huerta de Murcia, this is the first paper that has taken an approach from the integral perspective as a socio-ecological system. This paper analyzes the evolution of the provision of 31 ecosystem services in successive historical periods, taking into account different factors or influences which have been the driving forces of change during these periods. The analysis of the socio-ecological history of the Huerta de Murcia and the provision of services provided in each period was made through a bibliographic review. We obtained a total of eight historical periods: pre-Islamic period (before 713), Islamic (713-1243), Christian conquest (1243-1492), developing XVI century (1492-1613), XVII century (1613-1700), eighteenth century (1700 -1799), XIX century-1959 (1800-1960) and Modern Huerta (1960-2015). 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.