Under the guidance of the eternal blue sky: cultural ecosystem services that support well-being in Mongolian pastureland

This paper investigates what ‘cultural ecosystem services’ are important for nomadic herders’ well-being in Mongolian pasturelands, and how nomads’ knowledge facilitates understanding of these cultural ecosystem services. Nomads’ appreciation of cultural ecosystem services is an aspect of their local knowledge and practices. Interviews, focus group discussions, and a household survey were conducted in the case study area of north-east Mongolia to understand what the main cultural ecosystem services relied upon at a local level are, and how people perceive their benefits. The key cultural ecosystem services supporting their well-being are historical and cultural heritage, sacred and religious landscape values, inspirational values of landscape and the symbolic and aesthetic meaning of the landscape. The paper contributes to debates regarding cultural ecosystem services assessment by addressing the importance of memories and perceptions of local communities and emphasising its importance for local decision making.