Ecosystem services mapping in practice: A Pasteur’s quadrant perspective

Abstract Compared to non-spatial calculation of service values which is not intuitive, ecosystem services (ESs) mapping are more appealing to practitioners. However, applying these representations into ecological practice is still a challenge. Such research essentially embraces fundamental and applied characteristics, which have been exemplified by “Pasteur’s Quadrant” of use-inspired basic research. Based on this instructive quadrant model, we propose an analytical framework (Problem-Research-Practice) to review 76 SCI ESs mapping articles that purport to be relevant to ecological practice. Two questions led our investigation: (1) do these studies emulate (intentionally or otherwise) Pasteur’s Quadrant by establishing a clear pathway between research and practice (e.g. particular problems, issues or needs in the real world)? (2) what challenges-cum-opportunities for ESs mapping do we observe that may overcome resistance to practical purposes? Overall, substantial gaps exist in the research capacity to produce transformative and/or readily-usable knowledge; existing efforts to map ESs generally belie the conventions of practice systems. Given that ecological practice engages with real world problems at varying scales of human activity, we suggest some possible ways forward, such as developing participatory mapping techniques and alternative indicators directly targeting human needs that may accelerate uptake of ESs mapping outcomes by practitioners.