Public attitudes about urban forest ecosystem services management: A case study in Oregon cities

Abstract

Rapidly growing human populations worldwide create management challenges to support ecological and human wellbeing. Including human dimensions in research and planning, especially in urban locations, can help natural resource management become more integrated and balanced. To help inform natural resource management, we looked at human dimensions of forest ecosystems, focusing on urban forests. We carried out a case study comparing homeowners’ and renters’ attitudes about urban forest management goals, and what each group considers indicators of successful urban forest management. Using mixed mode methods in four cities in Oregon, U.S.A., we found that, in general, homeowners and renters agree that watershed health, ecological health, habitat preservation, and sustainability are important management goals. Data revealed minor variation between homeowners and renters, with renters generally expressing stronger opinions. Homeowners and renters also tended to agree that more green space and more natural habitat were indicators of successful management. Where statistically significant differences between groups were found, practical differences (effect sizes) were mostly small. Results indicating the importance of intangible benefits to both groups suggest that urban natural resource managers might be able to strengthen outreach and engagement by expanding the ecosystem services narrative to include more focus on aesthetics and recreation. Direct experience through recreation opportunities has potential to improve city resident awareness and interest in urban forests and green spaces. Managers may need to improve outreach concerning tangible benefits such as property values as well. Results also suggest that renters represent a category of city residents that appear motivated to get more engaged with urban forest planning and management. Given that our research method was a case study, caution is recommended if applying our results to other cities in the U.S. and internationally. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that results from this research will provide useful information that contributes to urban human and ecological wellbeing in cities in the U.S. and abroad.