(2025) Camacho Gutiérrez, Angie C.; Jakstis, Kristen; Fischer, Leonie K.
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.
