Visitors’ Perception Regarding Floating Treatment Wetlands in an Urban Green Space: Functionality and Emotional Values

Abstract

Floating treatment wetlands (FTW) are artificial structures used for water quality improvement through the hydroponic growth of certain macrophytes and their rhizospheric bacteria, with the capacity for pollutant removal. Through the application of face-to-face questionnaires, our study aimed to analyze visitors’ perception of the structure, functionality, and benefits of FTW installed in two ponds of one green space in Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico, and the emotional experience that these FTW could incite in those same visitors. Visitors identified the plant component of FTW as the most noticeable one, perceived filtering/cleaning water as their principal function, and reported positive and negative emotions in the same proportion. The visitors’ perceptions of FTW varied according to their age, school level, and occupation. Positive and negative perceptions regarding FTW were linked to their maintenance and that of the ponds. Visitors’ awareness of FTW composition and function was associated with the presence of informative signs. The understanding of perception about the FTW can be integrated into management programs for the successful and participative improvement and cleaning of water bodies in urban settings. Along with people’s participation, the municipality of the city must improve the maintenance of these important water bodies given its positive repercussions on visitors’ perception.

People-plant Interaction: Plant Impact on Humans and Environment

“…Green spaces, or areas that are predominantly covered by vegetation, are important components of urban environments because they provide a variety of environmental, social, and economic benefits, such as improving air quality, mitigating the urban heat island effect, and improving community well-being (Xie, C., et al 2023). The presence of plants is the primary contributor to the positive effects of green spaces (Falfán I. et al, 2023). Plants play an important role in the creation and maintenance of green areas, bringing multiple advantages to both the environment and humanity; they give wildlife habitat, prevent soil erosion, and assist in controlling the local climate by lowering temperatures and increasing humidity (Savitri, N. L. E., & Yanuwiadi, B.…”