Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Understanding the relationships between citizens and nature is crucial in cities of the Global South for addressing biodiversity challenges in the context of inequalities and socio-environmental conflicts. We thus addressed how people value urban biodiversity along the Fucha River in Bogotá, Colombia, and act collectively to improve its environmental condition. Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined (a) social valuation of ecosystem services and disservices, preferences, intended behaviours toward biodiversity (citizen surveys; n = 145), and (b) collective action for biodiversity (semi-structured interviews with five environmental groups). Key results indicate significant differences in biodiversity valuation along the river, and diverse collective actions. Hereby, positive conditions and community involvement promote a positive valuation of a healthy environment, and negative valuation is largely related to non-ecosystem aspects. A strong preference for environments with higher plant species diversity and naturalness was demonstrated. Thus, within the unequal context of a Global Southern city, biodiverse environments matter for people’s valuation and action towards nature.
Source: npj Urban Sustainability
Authors: Angie C. Camacho Gutiérrez, Kristen Jakstis, Leonie K. Fischer
Institution: University of Stuttgart
Language: English
Subfield: Global and Planetary Change
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,490
OpenAlex ID: W4415106975