Biodiversity valuation and collective action for urban river ecosystems in Bogotá

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.