Assessing Ecosystem Services Across Scales

Earth’s ecosystems provide essential ecosystem services (ES) that sustain human well‑being, yet the places where services are produced and where they are used often do not align. This doctoral dissertation applies spatial analysis and statistical modelling methods to assess the potential, supply, and demand of selected services provided by forests and urban ecosystems across spatial and temporal scales. By visualizing trends in wood ES potential, supply and demand through maps, and evaluating wood ES supply and demand mismatches through accessibility analysis, the research supports monitoring of European forests and offers spatial information for more sustainable resource management. Additionally, the thesis highlights the importance of human perceptions, particularly perceived accessibility, in encouraging more frequent interaction with nature in urban and peri urban areas.