Integrating Ecosystem Services Valuation into Territorial Planning: Evidence from Mediterranean Wetlands and Implications for Green Infrastructure

Mediterranean agricultural landscapes are increasingly affected by land-use intensification and environmental degradation, particularly in wetland ecosystems that provide critical regulating and cultural services. Despite advances in ecosystem service (ES) valuation, its integration into territorial planning remains limited. This study aims to assess the economic value of ES associated with wetlands and to examine their integration into territorial planning through green infrastructure (GI) approaches in a Mediterranean agricultural landscape in southern Spain. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining ES identification based on the Common International Classification of Ecosystem Services framework, economic valuation using the contingent valuation method, and territorial analysis of planning instruments. A structured survey of 385 respondents was administered to estimate willingness to pay (WTP), and a binary logistic regression model was applied to identify the main determinants influencing valuation. Approximately 68% of respondents expressed a WTP for wetland conservation, with a mean WTP of €48.6 per person per year. Regulating and cultural services were identified as the most highly valued. Econometric results indicate that environmental awareness, perceived ecosystem benefits, and income level are statistically significant predictors of WTP. The findings demonstrate that wetlands generate substantial social and economic value that is not adequately reflected in territorial planning. The integration of ES valuation into GI strategies may provide a planning-oriented framework for improving decision-making, enhancing ecological connectivity, and supporting sustainable land-use management.