Public perception vs ecological quality status : Examining the ecological restoration of the Congost River's Environment
Zaldo-Aubanell, Quim (Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya. Centre tecnològic Beta)
Mas Ponce, Antoni (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Departament de Geografia)
Asbert, Guiu (Fundació Rivus)
Clota, Berta (Fundació Rivus)
Isnard, Manel (Consorci Besòs Tordera)
Proia, Lorenzo (Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya. Centre tecnològic Beta)
Bach, Albert (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona)
Sánchez Mateo, Sònia (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)

Data:	2024
Resum:	This study examines the public's perceptions of the ecological restoration of the Congost River over the past thirty years, focusing on the period between 2010 and 2022. We conducted a survey of 112 river users across five key zones identified through a pilot study for their high pedestrian density, aiming to analyse how different sociodemographic groups perceive the river's ecological state. A structured questionnaire was distributed along both sides of the river to engage a diverse range of individuals typically utilizing the river environment. The collected data were analysed using regression models and Mann-Whitney U tests to assess differences between groups, with Bonferroni adjustments applied to control for multiple comparisons. The results reveal a broad increase in appreciation for the river since 2010, alongside measurable ecological improvements supported by scientific data. Despite these positive changes, a majority of surveyed users remain sceptical about the river's recovery, with less pronounced scepticism among older respondents, those with higher education, and environmental volunteers. These groups' perceptions align more closely with empirical evidence, highlighting the influence of sociodemographic factors on environmental awareness. Individuals living closer to natural settings and frequent river visitors were found to be more attuned to changes in the river's environment, particularly in aesthetic and sensory aspects. The study underscores the persistence of a perceptual gap between scientific assessments of ecological health and public sentiment, emphasizing the complex relationship between community perceptions and objective environmental indicators. These insights underline the complex relationship between community perceptions and objective environmental indicators, reflecting a broader trend in environmental awareness and the importance of factual communication in ecological issues.
Ajuts:	European Commission 887396
Nota:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2019-000940-M
Drets:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, fins i tot amb finalitats comercials, sempre i quan es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Llengua:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Matèria:	Ecological indicators ; Environmental attitudes ; Environmental restoration strategies ; Public perception ; Sociodemographic groups ; Survey analysis
Publicat a:	Heliyon, Vol. 10, Issue 14 (July 2024) , art. e34615, ISSN 2405-8440

DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34615
PMID: 39130423

15 p, 3.3 MB

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