Preferences of Adults for Synanthropic Flora in the Sustainable Development of Polish Cities’ Green Areas

Beata Fornal-Pieniak, Dagmara Stangierska-Mazurkiewicz, Filip Kamionowski, Katarzyna Widera, Barbara Żarska and Piotr Latocha ()
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Beata Fornal-Pieniak: Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Dagmara Stangierska-Mazurkiewicz: Department of Pomology and Economics, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Filip Kamionowski: Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Katarzyna Widera: Department of Economics, Finance, Regional and International Research, Faculty of Economics and Management, Opole University of Technology, 45-758 Opole, Poland
Barbara Żarska: Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland
Piotr Latocha: Department of Environmental Protection and Dendrology, Institute of Horticultural Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, 02-787 Warsaw, Poland

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 9, 1-12

Abstract: Synanthropic flora (weeds, i.e., spontaneously developed plants) are plants that accompany humans, appearing as a result of anthropopressure as well as after its cessation. The potential of synanthropic flora in shaping green areas usually brings many measurable benefits that depend on land management in cities. This study aimed to determine the preferences and attitudes of adults towards synanthropic flora in settlement units. This article presents survey results from 447 city residents. The obtained results were statistically analyzed using the k-means clustering method to identify segments of respondents with similar attitudes and preferences toward synanthropic flora. Mann–Whitney U tests were employed to determine statistical differences in the demographic variables among the analyzed clusters of respondents. Additionally, multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the opinions and attitudes towards synanthropic flora that may influence their greater acceptance in the vicinity of residential areas. The results obtained in the multiple regression analysis indicate that the respondent’s evaluation of the level of support for the introduction of more synanthropic vegetation into urban greenery (Yw) grows with the increase in the acceptance of synanthropic plants’ occurrence in the surroundings. Residents’ acceptance of synanthropic flora in green areas is at a relatively high level.

Keywords: synanthropic plant species; spontaneous vegetation; residents’ opinions; green and sustainable design; settlement areas (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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