Is an Environment with High Biodiversity the Most Attractive for Human Recreation? A Case Study in Baoji, China

Tian Gao, Ling Zhu, Tian Zhang, Rui Song, Yuanqun Zhang and Ling Qiu
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Tian Gao: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
Ling Zhu: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
Tian Zhang: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
Rui Song: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
Yuanqun Zhang: College of Forestry, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China
Ling Qiu: College of Landscape Architecture and Arts, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi Province, China

Sustainability, 2019, vol. 11, issue 15, 1-20

Abstract: Evidence has been accumulating of the psychological and physiological benefits and well-being gained by individuals from recreational activities in urban green spaces due to their ability to sustain biodiversity, but maximizing both biodiversity and recreational values of green spaces has become increasingly difficult in practice. In order to better maximize the biodiversity and recreational value of urban green space, this study was conducted through the utilization of an onsite questionnaire to understand people’s perceptions of and preferences for biodiversity and recreational values of urban green spaces in Baoji City, China. The results showed that respondents were able to correctly perceive biodiversity and preferred to engage in recreational activities in the high biodiversity environment. However, the respondents’ perceptions of the eight perceived sensory dimensions (PSDs) in the different habitats were divergent, and an environment which is high in biodiversity does not necessarily have higher PSDs. Moreover, ‘living environment’ and ‘frequency to the park’ had significant impacts on perception of and preference for urban biodiversity. In addition, ‘education level’, ‘living environment’, ‘age’, and other indicators were more likely to influence the perception of the eight PSDs. Therefore, the presented findings can be applied by urban landscape planners to assess the qualities of urban green spaces in order to maintain urban biodiversity and meet the satisfaction of human recreation in the future.

Keywords: urban green space; biodiversity; perceived sensory dimensions; landscape preference; landscape perception (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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