Aesthetic appreciation and inspiration for culture, art and design

Agricultural landscapes have high cultural values for many societies, as recognized through the Satoyama Initiative and Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Sites. Also, in certain societies specific rice cultivars are maintained solely for ceremonial use purposes.

Some agro-pastoral systems have resulted not only in outstanding landscapes, maintenance and adaptation of globally significant agricultural biodiversity, indigenous knowledge systems and resilient ecosystems, but, above all, in the sustained provision of multiple goods and services, food and livelihood security for millions of poor and small farmers.

Fish in public aquaria, wild species in tropical reefs, in crowded streams during spawning, or in lakes and along coasts, generate highly valued aesthetic services. Oceans have inspired artists and engineers for centuries. For example, humpback whale flippers could be inspiring the next generation of airplane wings.

Forests have inspired the development of many technologies such as the one to help capture rainwater in cities.