| Title: | Improving biodiversity in Central and Eastern European gardens needs regionally scaled strategies |
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| Authors: | ID Varga-Szilay, Zsófia (Author)
ID Barševskis, Arvids (Author)
ID Benedek, Klára (Author)
ID Bevk, Danilo (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129074
 PDF - Presentation file, download (33,37 MB)
MD5: F9DBC2FE16AE2CDA4647745E85DB0A42
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  NIB - National Institute of Biology
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| Abstract: | Amid ongoing urbanisation, gardens are expected to play an increasing role in enhancing urban biodiversity by supplementing green areas and improving landscape connectivity. Biodiversity-friendly gardens also improve human well-being and foster connections between nature and people. To study these benefits, we distributed a questionnaire (n = 5255), and used a scoring system to evaluate gardens’ ecological value (GAR index), gardeners' attitudes (RES index), and pesticide use habits (PES index). We used machine learning to explore how these indices interact and what sociodemographic factors drive them across Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Our aim was to explore the ecological values of gardens and gardening practices, identifying characteristics that might contribute to building high biodiversity. We found significant variability within and between countries, with Romania scoring low and Czechia high in all indices. Domestic pesticide use was ubiquitous across CEE and largely unaffected by sociodemographic factors. Increased time spent gardening was associated with the highest pesticide use and a greater potential for fostering high biodiversity. Gardeners aged over 55 tended to uphold longstanding conventional practices and thus lowered both PES and GAR index scores. The local differences highlight the need for regionally tailored biodiversity-friendly gardening guidelines instead of standardised regulations across Europe. Effective environmental education and community programs can be developed based on local biodiversity and the three indices we used. These programs should inform gardeners about the environmental and health impacts of pesticides and provide comprehensive biodiversity-related knowledge. This is especially important in CEE, where such initiatives are currently underrepresented. |
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| Keywords: | rural-urban gradient, urban ecosystems, environmental consciousness, sustainable gardening, environmental sensitivity, urbanisation |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Publication date: | 01.11.2025 |
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| Year of publishing: | 2025 |
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| Number of pages: | str. 1-13 |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 113, [art. no.] ǂ129074 |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-23818  |
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| UDC: | 574.1 |
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| ISSN on article: | 1618-8667 |
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| DOI: | 10.1016/j.ufug.2025.129074 |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 251917571 |
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| Note: | Soavtorji: Arvīds Barševskis, Klára Benedek, Danilo Bevk, Agata Jojczyk, Anton Krištín, Jana Růžičková, Lucija Šerić Jelaska, Eve Veromann, Silva Vilumets, Kinga Gabriela Fetykó, Gergely Szövényi, Gábor Pozsgai;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 08.10.2025 |
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| Views: | 179 |
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| Downloads: | 82 |
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