Evaluating Socio-Ecological Interactions for the Management of Protected Urban Green Spaces

• Published in: Frontiers in environmental science 2019-09, Vol.7
• Main Authors: Zambrano, Luis, Cano-Santana, Zenón, Wegier, Ana, Arroyo-Lambaer, Denise, Zúñiga-Vega, J. Jaime, Suárez, Antonio, Bouchain, César Rafael, Gual Sill, Fernando, Campo, Julio, Ortega-Larrocea, Pilar, Fonseca, Alejandra, Ramos, Alejandra G., Coronel-Arellano, Heli, Bonilla-Rodríguez, Manuel, Castillo, Alicia, Negrete-González, Marcela, Ramírez-Cruz, Gonzalo A., Pérez-López, Javier, González Calderón, Brenda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biodiversity; Cities; College campuses; Communities; Conservation; Ecological monitoring; Ecological Reserve of Pedregal de San Ángel; Ecosystems; Environmental management; Environmental science; Green infrastructure; Management decisions; Mexico City; Open spaces; Restoration; Social-ecological systems; socio-ecological system; UNAM main campus; urban conservation; Urban planning; Urbanization
• ISSN: 2296-665X; 2296-665X
• DOI: 10.3389/fenvs.2019.00144

Protected urban green spaces (PUGS) are exposed to numerous disturbances and threats since they are immersed in highly dynamic socio-ecological systems. PUGS in highly urbanized cities require particular conservation strategies. Here, we propose an approach for PUGS management which integrates three components: i) scientific knowledge (monitoring/restoration), ii) community interaction with the environment, and iii) management decision. Our hypothesis asserts that the intersection of these components should produce a solid management program, provided that the obtained multidisciplinary knowledge meets the needs of information required by the community and decision makers. We tested this hypothesis for a small PUGS located within Mexico City at the National Autonomous University of Mexico campus that holds the Ecological Reserve of Pedregal de San Ángel. Through a participatory approach we built a mental model to understand the perceptions of different campus actors (students, academics and administrators), and their social and ecological relationships with this PUGS. Our findings provide insight into the actors’ perceptions and concerns and suggest that the interactions among the three components, although important, are not self-generated and must be constructed. The findings also suggest that one of the management problems is the mismatch between scientific knowledge and conservation programs. It is paramount to include generated knowledge into management and monitoring programs. The complexity of the PUGS requires an active collaboration among actors and monitoring the development of management strategies using the three components while taking the conservation goals into account.