Diverse values of nature shape human connection to dryland landscapes in Spain

Abstract

Understanding the nature's values and landscape preferences that determine the connection between people and nature may provide key insights to unravel some of the major sustainability challenges. However, knowledge of such factors, how they vary across landscapes, or whether they reflect more fundamental causes of (dis)connection from nature is still scarce. In this study, we focused on Spanish drylands, which are frequently undervalued by the local population and impacted by land degradation processes but provide important contributions to sustaining human well-being. We developed a methodological approach for understanding human-nature connectedness across ten representative landscapes of Spanish drylands. We carried out 191 face-to-face surveys to assess how people prefer different landscapes and identify which type of nature's value explain landscape preferences. The findings showed that specific landscapes were preferred differently by the public these preferences were supported by diverse values of nature. For instance, greenhouses were chosen as non-preferred landscape by locals, while protected littoral and desert were identified as the most preferred landscapes. Instrumental value was mainly assigned to greenhouses mostly based on the economic profits they provide, while other preferred landscapes such as traditional agricultural and high mountains were mostly related to relational value. Results show how the understanding of human-landscape connections can help to guide future conservation efforts as well as to foster conservation behavior.