The Climate Potential of Garden Management: A Socio-Ecological Perspective

Despite being one of the most densely populated and urbanized regions of Europe, 84% of Flanders' citizens have a garden, covering 12% of its territory. Research has shown that the collective network of domestic gardens could make a substantial contribution to climate change adaptation and mitigation, emphasizing their spatial and ecological importance as an integral part of the urban green infrastructure. Nevertheless, these private outdoor spaces are autonomously managed by many individual gardeners, often prioritizing aesthetics rather than environmental considerations. Understanding how people manage their gardens, and why, is thus crucial for unlocking the climate potential of gardens. This understanding can shed light on the current situation and identify opportunities for change. Unfortunately, limited research has been conducted on both garden management practices and the social drivers behind the decision-making process of individual gardeners. Therefore, our research aimed at unveiling current management practices and examining their variations across the urban gradient of Flanders. Through an online citizen science survey with a substantial sample size (n = 827) of Flemish domestic garden owners, we assessed garden management practices, as well as, motivations and self-reported knowledge. Potential cofounding factors such as personal, socio-economic and spatial context were also taken into account. Using a mixed model approach, we researched to what extent motivations, self-reported knowledge and context influence garden management decisions. Simultaneously, our analysis focused on variations of garden management practices across different urbanization levels, highlighting the intricate relationship between local contexts and the diverse ecological and social drivers influencing individual gardeners' decisions. By recognizing this interconnectedness, our findings offer insights that can inform urban planning and policy strategies to harness the untapped potential within these private green spaces. Ultimately, integrating social science into environmental studies is crucial for a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change and encouraging individual gardeners to adopt more climate-resilient practices.