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Citizen Science Approach for Assessing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Green Spaces in Ghana

Author

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  • Frederick Gyasi Damptey

    (Department of Ecology, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, 03046 Cottbus, Germany
    ForestAid Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana)

  • Nana Yeboaa Opuni-Frimpong

    (Department of Forest Science, School of Natural Resources, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana)

  • Abdul Wahid Arimiyaw

    (ForestAid Ghana, Accra 00233, Ghana
    Department of Geography and Rural Development, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Felicity Bentsi-Enchill

    (Department of Biology Education, Faculty of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba 00233, Ghana)

  • Edward Debrah Wiafe

    (School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya 00233, Ghana)

  • Betty Boante Abeyie

    (Kumasi Wood Cluster Association, Kentinkrono, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Martin Kofi Mensah

    (Institute of Surface Mining and Special Civil Engineering, Freiberg Technical University of Mining, 09599 Freiberg, Germany)

  • Daniel Kwame Debrah

    (Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Augustine Oti Yeboah

    (Herp Conservation Ghana, Adum, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

  • Emmanuel Opuni-Frimpong

    (Department of Forest Science, School of Natural Resources, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani P.O. Box 214, Ghana
    Forestry Research Institute of Ghana, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Kumasi 00233, Ghana)

Abstract

Urban green spaces are linked to good human health and well-being, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, life on land and under water, as well as offering a platform for quality nature-based education. Their efficient management will no doubt be necessary if strides are to be made in efforts to protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem service delivery in urban areas. This will, in part, require building the capacity of community members as citizen scientists to take up conservation roles. This study explored the levels of biodiversity and the proxy-based ecosystem service potential of urban green spaces in Sunyani, Ghana, using citizen science approaches. The green spaces accessed were the University of Energy and Natural Resources Wildlife Sanctuary and Arboretum, the Sunyani Parks and Gardens, the Sunyani Residency Park, and the Sunyani Senior High School Woodlot. The different levels of biodiversity (trees, arthropods) and ecosystem services were observed for the five green spaces assessed, with a significant relationship observed between arthropod communities and vegetation variables. Our results showed that citizen scientists perceived urban green spaces to supply more significant provisioning and regulating services than any other ecosystem services, even though they were highly dissatisfied with how green spaces are managed. The children’s perception of the composition of nature was slightly narrow, as they largely centered on plants and animals only. Even so, their awareness of the value of nature was high, as were the threats of human activities to nature. Citizen science approaches could complement biodiversity studies in data-deficient regions; however, collected data may require additional verification and validation from experts for conclusive and better inferences.

Suggested Citation

  • Frederick Gyasi Damptey & Nana Yeboaa Opuni-Frimpong & Abdul Wahid Arimiyaw & Felicity Bentsi-Enchill & Edward Debrah Wiafe & Betty Boante Abeyie & Martin Kofi Mensah & Daniel Kwame Debrah & Augustine, 2022. "Citizen Science Approach for Assessing the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Service Potential of Urban Green Spaces in Ghana," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-25, October.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:11:y:2022:i:10:p:1774-:d:940222
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fernanda Franzolin & Graça S. Carvalho & Carolina Maria Boccuzzi Santana & Andreia dos Santos Calegari & Ester Aparecida Ely de Almeida & João Paulo Reis Soares & Jessica Jorge & Franciele Dutra das N, 2021. "Students’ Interests in Biodiversity: Links with Health and Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(24), pages 1-15, December.
    2. Justine S. Sefcik & Michelle C. Kondo & Heather Klusaritz & Elisa Sarantschin & Sara Solomon & Abbey Roepke & Eugenia C. South & Sara F. Jacoby, 2019. "Perceptions of Nature and Access to Green Space in Four Urban Neighborhoods," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-13, June.
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