This study addresses the pressing issue of urban biodiversity loss and the role of citizen valuation and collective action in its conservation, particularly in rapidly expanding urban areas that are often overlooked in research. It highlights the need to understand how people value urban nature, especially in the Global South, where challenges such as climate change, socio-environmental segregation and security concerns complicate urban biodiversity conservation. Bogotá, Colombia, is an example of these issues, located in a region with rich but threatened ecosystems. The uneven distribution of green spaces and poor ecological connectivity further complicate efforts to conserve urban biodiversity in such cities.
The research focuses on the Fucha River, examining how citizens value biodiversity and act collectively to protect it or enhance it. This area is notable for the involvement of civil society organisations which often play a significant role in local urban nature appreciation.
In addressing how citizens value biodiversity, the study adopts the concept of valuation as defined by Botzat, Fischer, and Kowarik (2016), viewing it as a process of assessing the perceived value of biodiversity. This process includes the valuation of ecosystem services and disservices, as well as the exploration of cognitive factors such as attitudes and behavioural intentions towards biodiversity. The research also examines the influence of socio-cultural factors on these valuations. In terms of collective action, the study draws on the concept of decentralised, small-scale sustainable livelihood initiatives as articulated by Duque-Franco et al. (2020). It explores the motivations, intentions and challenges faced by groups engaged in such initiatives in Bogotá. The city is identified as an important centre for local social mobilisation campaigns, where urban nature serves as a platform to challenge established urban norms and advocate for social and environmental change.
This study uses a mixed-methods approach. Data collection included structured questionnaires with citizens (quantitative) and semi-structured interviews with environmental collectives (qualitative). The research, conducted in May 2023, was preceded by a literature review that informed the theoretical and methodological framework and helped select the study area. To explore citizen’ valuation of biodiversity (research question 1), on-site questionnaires were used, incorporating visual aids to assess attitudes and behavioural intentions. For collective action (research question 2), interviews were conducted with five environmental collectives to explore their activities, challenges, and influence on biodiversity and public valuation.
The ecological importance and urban context of the river was characterised, on the assumption that people's valuations and actions with regard to its biodiversity change as the river flows. The analysis was therefore divided into four distinct sections, spanning the course of the river, to explore these variations. The research findings on social valuation and collective action for biodiversity along the river, reveal shifts in both, influenced by ecological, sociocultural and urban management aspects, aspects that could be mirrored for other natural spaces in the city.
At the ecosystem scale, a healthier ecosystem was found to increase people's valuation and strengthen the potential for collective action in the river environment. In addition, changes to the ecosystem and the environment, such as river channelling or visible litter, have a significant impact on people's valuation. It is worth noting that individuals are motivated to take action to improve the Fucha River by the collective memory of its healthier state in the upper reaches. Despite some challenges, the river reflects the strong environmental agenda of civil society organisations in Bogotá that are contributing to the improvement and protection of the river and its ecosystem.
At the scale of species diversity, there appears to be an opportunity for a more diverse ecosystem with a natural riverbank from the point of view of citizens. In fact, the importance attached to biodiversity is largely based on aesthetics. It is common to favour certain plants, such as trees over shrubs, because of familiarity with the species. The naturalness of the river is often valued for its potential to facilitate recreational activities, although in some cases there are concerns about potential hazards. In addition, there is considerable potential for collective action to diversify the vegetation, both from an agro ecological and restoration perspective.
The study also identified four socio-cultural factors that influence the relationship between the citizens of Bogotá and the Fucha River. These factors are often manifested in existing collective actions. In order to improve biodiversity and reduce the disconnection between citizens and urban rivers, it is beneficial to strengthen such initiatives. This can be achieved, for example, by promoting agroecology in urban river environments, strengthening biocultural memories and territorial identities along the river, promoting environmental education, and supporting activities that help overcome perceptions of insecurity. Ultimately, this research emphasises urban management problems that impact the value and environment of the Fucha River. These challenges mirror those experienced by several cities across the Global South concerning water and waste management, as well as restricted service provision. Although these issues can stimulate collective efforts to address socio-spatial inequities, they can initially discourage citizens from visiting the river and other natural sites in the city.
The study concludes that a healthier ecosystem along the Fucha River would increase the value of its biodiversity and encourage a wider range of collective actions. The river offers significant opportunities for increasing biodiversity, with great potential for citizen-led initiatives. Citizens have already engaged with the Fucha River through various pro-biodiversity discourses, which should be supported more flexibly. However, it is crucial to address important management and sanitation challenges at the metropolitan level, as these issues currently undermine the relationship between urban dwellers and their rivers.
Supervised by:
Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Leonie Fischer (Universität Stuttgart) and Dr. rer. nat. Hans-Georg Schwarz-von Raumer (Universität Stuttgart), with further advice from Prof. Dr. Juan David Amaya-Espinel (Javeriana University Colombia).