Mapping Recreational Services and Beneficiaries in the Sardinia Region Using ESTIMAP with Tourism Insights

Ecosystem services (ESs) knowledge is key for urban planning as they provide essential resources to society. Mapping the beneficiaries of these services helps identify the levels of access to certain ESs, such as nature-based recreation, while also assessing residents’ and tourists’ dynamics and patterns across the region. This information aids in decision-making for planning green infrastructure that meets the needs of both residents and visitors. In this study, the ESTIMAP model is applied at a regional scale and subsequently a methodology for mapping the distribution of beneficiaries of recreational ES is introduced. The study further outlines the calculation of beneficiaries within varying buffer zones, considering both population and tourist numbers as well as different modes of transportation, including walking, cycling, public transportation, and private cars. The findings reveal that areas that potentially supply high levels of recreational ES (ROS9) in Sardinia are spread out across the region, ensuring accessibility by car for everyone within a 30-min drive. When walking is considered, the percentage of the population within 1 km of ROS9 areas is almost half that of tourists, as accommodation facilities tend to be situated nearer to ROS9 areas compared to population settlements. This highlights a disparity in walking access, which decreases when considering public transportation. The adaptable method highlights the effectiveness of the ES approach in guiding urban planning while supporting nature-based tourism.