The role of pondscapes in supporting identities

Bibtex

@misc{cc7035ac-08c4-49c5-b039-4dafc5981514,
title = "The role of pondscapes in supporting identities",
abstract = "This study investigates how pondscapes, networks of ponds, and their surrounding environments contribute to supporting identities across diverse cultural contexts. Supporting identities is a non-material Nature’s Contribution to People referring to people’s sense of place, belonging and connection to nature. We draw on data on landscape features from 17 pondscapes across eight countries in Europe and South America, along with over 700 questionnaire responses. We assessed whether certain landscape features are associated with the perceived delivery of supporting identities and examined how personal characteristics, individual perspectives, and engagement in different activities shape people’s perceptions. Our findings indicate that the perceived delivery of supporting identities emerges from a combination of social and ecological factors rather than from landscape features alone. Although pondscape characteristics showed weak direct effects, pondscapes in warmer climates and with a higher proportion of natural land cover might be associated with a stronger sense of identity. In addition, a strong personal connection to nature and engagement in nature-based activities (wildlife watching, picnicking, hunting), were key pathways shaping perceptions, highlighting that identity-related benefits are context dependent and socially mediated. By integrating ecological and social dimensions, our study highlights the importance of incorporating non-material values into conservation and landscape management strategies.",
author = "Lluís Benejam and Jacques-Aristide Perrin and Malgorzata Blicharska and Sandra Brucet and Deniz Başoğlu and Meryem Beklioglu and Aurelie Boissezon and Dani Boix and Maite Colina and Thomas Alexander Davidson and Pieter Lemmens and Alejandro López-de Sancha and Beatriz Martin and Mariana Meerhoff and Thomas Mehner and Pascale Nicolet and Beat Oertli and Constanza Passadore-Romero and Sopan D. Patil and Diego P. Lindoso and Xavier D. Quintana and Parinaz Rashidi and Anna Ribas and Joël Robin",
year = "2026",
month = jan,
day = "27",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-025-06105-8",
language = "Nederlands",
publisher = "Instituut voor Natuur- en Bosonderzoek",
address = "België,
type = "Other"
}

Auteurs

Lluís Benejam
Jacques-Aristide Perrin
Malgorzata Blicharska
Sandra Brucet
Deniz Başoğlu
Meryem Beklioglu
Aurelie Boissezon
Dani Boix
Maite Colina
Thomas Alexander Davidson
Pieter Lemmens
Alejandro López-de Sancha
Beatriz Martin
Mariana Meerhoff
Thomas Mehner
Pascale Nicolet
Beat Oertli
Constanza Passadore-Romero
Sopan D. Patil
Diego P. Lindoso
Xavier D. Quintana
Parinaz Rashidi
Anna Ribas
Joël Robin