1244 | 463 | Urban pondscape connecting People with Nature and Biodiversity in a medium-sized European city (Geneva, Switzerland) | Fernanda Vasco (1), Jacques-Aristide Perrin (2), Beat Oertli (1)

In the face of increasing urbanisation and decreasing biodiversity, small waterbodies, like ponds, are potential solutions to bring nature into the cities. It is therefore important to assess the perception by the visitors of these urban ponds, especially for understanding the contribution of these blue spaces to people’s well-being. The aim of this study is to investigate the value that the public perceives in the multiple Nature’s Contributions to People (NCPs) provided by urban ponds, and especially regarding biodiversity._x000D_
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Therefore, a face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted during the summer of 2022, among 288 visitors of three urban parks located in Geneva, Switzerland, to assess the population’s perception of the ecosystem values offered by networks of urban ponds (urban pondscapes). An additional similar survey was conducted in the rural area, for better highlighting the specificity of the urban context._x000D_
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The results showed that people highly value the multiple contributions provided by urban ponds and that contact with nature is the main motivating factor for visiting an urban pondscape. This evidenced the public acceptance of urban ponds, due to their positive impact on their quality of life. Additionally, the biodiversity of these ponds was highly appreciated, but there was evidence of a gap of knowledge with regards to the conservation of native biodiversity. It was also possible to highlight that gender and income do not influence the public perception on the contributions provided by urban pondscape. Indeed, ponds are very well adapted and accepted in urban ecosystems, and they should be in the future green (and bluewing) planning in cities to conserve and enhance freshwater biodiversity, while also providing NCPs._x000D_

Fernanda Vasco (1), Jacques-Aristide Perrin (2), Beat Oertli (1)
(1) HEPIA, HES-SO, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland, 150 Route de Presinge, 1254 Jussy-Geneva, Switzerland, (2) ISARA, Institut Supérieur d’Agriculture Rhône-Alpes, 23 Rue Jean Baldassini, 69364 Lyon, France
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