Journal
LANDSCAPE RESEARCH
Volume 39, Issue 6, Pages 668-679Publisher
ROUTLEDGE JOURNALS, TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2013.772960
Keywords
public use; restoration project; landscape preference; salt marsh monitoring; Odiel Marshes; Spartina
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Only a few restoration projects incorporate public perception in their monitoring. However, participation of local people is a key process if social benefits are to be achieved. This study analyses, through a survey, citizens' perceptions and usage of natural and restored coastal marshes in the city of Huelva (southwest Iberian Peninsula, Spain), as well as landscape preferences. Most of Huelva's citizens recognised the benefits of coastal marshes (75%), a perception which increased with level of education. The majority of the respondents showed a low level of knowledge about the eco-lo-gical services and functions of salt marshes. In addition, visitor numbers to the studied restoration project increased by 27% after restoration. Regarding landscape preferences, most of the respondents preferred the native Chenopodiaceae salt marsh, and the native Spartina maritima landscape was chosen less often. In light of our results, environmental education campaigns should be carried out in the city of Huelva to increase its citizens' knowledge of salt marshes.
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