Deciphering the impact mechanisms of cultural ecosystem benefits in urban green spaces: a site-scale analysis integrating environmental perceived characteristics and usage patterns

Urban green spaces (UGS) provide multiple cultural ecosystem benefits (CEB) that are crucial for urban residents’ wellbeing. However, our understanding of the mechanisms influencing CEB in UGS remains limited, affecting our ability to design spaces that provide optimal benefits. This study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying CEB in UGS at the site scale, using Haizhu National Wetland Park in Guangzhou, China as a case study. We developed a theoretical framework integrating environmental physical characteristics (EPHCs), environmental perceived characteristics (EPECs), and UGS usage patterns as mediating variables between environmental spaces and CEB. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a population sample (n = 1,451) through Public Participation GIS (PPGIS). Results showed that: (1) EPHCs significantly influenced CEB through both direct and indirect pathways mediated by EPECs and UGS usage; (2) Different dimensions of site characteristics affected CEB through distinct mechanisms − EPHCs primarily influenced CEB through visit frequency, while EPECs operated through both parallel mediation (via sociability, coherence, and openness) and serial mediation (through coherence/openness and visit frequency); (3) The impact mechanisms varied significantly across socio-demographic and activity types. Our findings extend the UK NEA’s CEB framework by empirically validating the mediating roles of environmental perception and usage patterns. This study provides evidence-based guidance for UGS design and management to enhance CEB delivery in densely populated urban areas.