Interactions between urban residents and ecosystems across multiple scales in the Portland-Vancouver metropolitan area

Background/Question/Methods

Interactions between short- and long-term ecological and human disturbances affect the structure and function of natural resources in urban areas.  In turn, both institutions and civilian responses to such interactions can affect future landscape management.  These relationships are the focus of the Portland-Vancouver Urban Long-Term Research Area Exploratory Project (PDX-VAN ULTRA-Ex), a collaborative effort across four universities and several local and federal agencies.  As part of the PDX-VAN effort, my objective is to integrate themes of individual components of the project to describe interactions between residents and urban ecosystems and how both ecological and social factors can influence resident perceptions of local natural resources and, particularly, water resources.  In the Winter of 2012, I used a survey to collect information from metro area residents, including participation in activities related to local natural resources, perception of local ecosystem conditions, ecosystem features that are considered important at the property, neighborhood, and metro-area scales, reasons for avoidance of natural areas, factors that influence support for green infrastructure projects (e.g., bioswales), concern about biophysical and social features affecting quality of life, and demographics.    

Results/Conclusions

Thus far, more than 600 surveys have been returned (sampling error of less than ±5%).  Respondents more frequently use resources for recreation during the dry (May-October) rather than the wet (November-April) season.  Personal safety, bad odors, and garbage were noted most frequently as reasons to avoid natural areas.  Respondents perceived water resources were to be in generally “good” condition in Portland, but unsure about resource condition in Vancouver or in suburban locations.  Large mature trees and tree-lined streets were identified as important consistently across the property, neighborhood, and metro area scales.  Larger resources such as streams and rivers were more important at broader rather than narrow scales.  Colorful flowers and well-manicured vegetation were noted as important by approximately half of respondents across all scales.  Functionality of green infrastructure (manage stormwater, slow traffic, increase property value) was considered to be more important than potential for ecosystem enhancement (increased vegetation, wildlife habitat).  Collectively, social impacts (unequal distribution of wealth, lack of jobs) to quality of life were of greater concern to respondents than natural impacts (climate change, water availability).  These results suggest that respondents seem to make tradeoffs between social and ecosystem benefits that can be derived from urban natural resources.