Abstract
Matrices are flexible tools for ecosystem services mapping and assessment, which link ecosystem types or land cover types to ecosystem services by providing a score for ecosystem service (ES) capacity, supply, use, or demand. Although they have become popular for the qualitative assessment of ES, or for their integration with other ES assessment approaches, their use as communication tools for conveying the conceptualization of ES has not received much attention. In this preliminary study, matrices are applied for the qualitative assessment of ES capacity in different landscapes, following the approach and the classification of landscape services. The target group is composed by 80 primary school perspective teachers enrolled in the master’s course of Primary Education. A didactic unit of four hours was planned, in which the students did practically approach the conceptualization of ES for the first time, by means of a capacity matrix assessment. A list of landscape services was provided, and their meaning was briefly explained before the laboratory activities started. Through a group work, first the students did identify the main landscape elements of different landscapes, and then they analyzed them considering the potential services they can provide. A score from 1 to 5 was then assigned to each landscape service; subsequently, the cumulative values were derived and plotted. Finally, each group prepared a brief discussion and presented their analyses. The results, although preliminary, showed that through the use of capacity matrices students could reach a good level of understanding of the concepts ES, ES capacity and multifunctionality.