Spatial interactions between perceived biophilic values and neighborhood typologies in wetlands

Wetlands provide a range of ecosystem services; however, little is known about their value or use for improving urban planning and wetland management. This study explores values towards Los Batros Wetland in Chile, by inhabitants from different neighborhood typologies. A sample of 379 households evaluated the wetland by applying Kellert’s framework of biophilic values using a PPGIS approach. Anova and spatial autocorrelation analysis with hotspot, revealed that the spatial distribution of biophilic values is not randomly distributed across space. It depends on education, income, proximity and accessibility. Inhabitants of the garden city located next to the wetland area, highly educated and with easy and moderate access, agreed with a diverse type of biophilic values, where the ecologistic-scientific value has more spatial representativeness. In the condominium typology, with similar education, easy and moderate physical accessibility but situated far from the wetland, there was less agreement with biophilic values, these were more dispersed, i.e. less representative, and the aesthetic value prevails over others. At the north area of the neighborhood unit, with moderate to difficult physical access, but with horticultural activities beside the wetland, inhabitants agree with various biophilic values, including the symbolic value. Conversely in the favela, with similar physical access, next to the wetland, but with the lowest income and education level, biophilic values were not in agreement nor disagreement. An effective wetland management requires appreciation of the clusters of values assigned to wetland environments. These clusters should be considered when planning to restore, protect, and improve urban wetlands.