Perceptions of urban rewilding in a park with secondary succession vegetation growth on lake silt: Landscape preferences and perceived species richness

Urbanisation often distances people from nature, impacting health and well-being. Urban rewilding reintroduces wilderness into cities, supporting biodiversity and reconnecting people with nature. This study investigates public perception of biodiversity and aesthetic preferences in rewilded urban sites, using Jiangyangfan Ecological Park in Hangzhou, China, as a case study. The park includes rewilded and semi-rewilded plots with varying degrees of human intervention. Participants, including non-experts and landscape architecture students, evaluated photos of the plots for species richness and aesthetic appeal. Results indicate a strong correlation between perceived and measured species richness for non-experts, though this correlation is weaker for students. Non-experts prefer semi-rewilded plots, associating higher species richness with higher aesthetic value, while students' preferences do not vary significantly with species richness. The correlation between habitat management intensity and aesthetic preferences is weak for both groups, suggesting a balance between natural and managed landscapes can enhance public appreciation. The study highlights the public's ability to perceive biodiversity and the importance of integrating public preferences in urban rewilding efforts. It underscores the need for nature education to improve biodiversity appreciation, promoting sustainable urban rewilding practices. Our results highlight the potential of semi-rewilding as a balanced approach within urban rewilding, helping to reconcile aesthetic and biodiversity goals in areas where they may conflict.