Zaldo-Aubanell Quim, Mas-Ponce Antoni, Asbert Guiu, Clota Berta, Isnard Manel, Proia Lorenzo, Bach Albert, Sànchez Mateo Sònia
BETA Technological Center, University of Vic - Central University of Catalonia (UVic-UCC), Vic, Spain.
Forest Science and Technology Centre of Catalonia (CTFC), Solsona, Spain.
Heliyon. 2024 Jul 14;10(14):e34615. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34615. eCollection 2024 Jul 30.
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.
本研究考察了过去三十年来公众对孔戈斯特河生态恢复的看法，重点关注2010年至2022年期间。我们对通过初步研究确定的五个关键区域的112名河流使用者进行了调查，这些区域行人密度高，旨在分析不同社会人口群体如何看待河流的生态状况。一份结构化问卷在河两岸发放，以接触通常利用河流环境的不同人群。使用回归模型和曼-惠特尼U检验对收集到的数据进行分析，以评估组间差异，并应用邦费罗尼校正来控制多重比较。结果显示，自2010年以来，人们对这条河的欣赏程度普遍提高，同时有科学数据支持的可衡量的生态改善。尽管有这些积极变化，但大多数接受调查的使用者对河流的恢复仍持怀疑态度，在老年受访者、受过高等教育的人和环境志愿者中，怀疑态度不太明显。这些群体的看法与实证证据更为一致，突出了社会人口因素对环境意识的影响。发现居住在更靠近自然环境的人和经常光顾河流的人对河流环境的变化更敏感，特别是在美学和感官方面。该研究强调了生态健康的科学评估与公众情绪之间的认知差距依然存在，强调了社区认知与客观环境指标之间的复杂关系。这些见解突显了社区认知与客观环境指标之间的复杂关系，反映了环境意识方面的更广泛趋势以及在生态问题中进行事实沟通的重要性。
