Publication Date
3-18-2026
Residential soil should be viewed as vital elements for sustainable cities. Of concern is that residents can be managing residential green spaces without a clear understanding of soil benefits. We performed 275 surveys in the Rio Piedras Watershed, Puerto Rico to evaluate: (1) the level of residents’ awareness about the contribution of soils to ecosystem services, and (2) the association between yard management practices with household socioeconomics and the level of residents’ awareness regarding residential soil ecosystem services. Results showed that residents were significantly less aware of the importance of soil ecosystem services in their yards compared to that of soil from all land uses. Also, awareness about soil ecosystem services was not associated with variation in yard management practices but some household socio-economic variables were. Household annual income was negatively correlated with fertilizer and pesticide application frequencies. Home ownership was positively correlated with the frequency of pesticide application and resident’s locality influenced the likelihood of fertilizer application. Likewise, the likelihood of paving residential yards increased with years living on the property and was also influenced by the residents’ locality. While results may indicate a disconnect between environmental awareness and pro-environmental behaviors, metrics of awareness may also reflect differences in perceptions and values rooted in unexplored social behaviors and values.
Recommended Citation
Selles, Luis Kidany and Melendez_Ackerman, Elvia J.
(2026)
"Examining the Association Between Awareness of Soil Ecosystem Services and Yard Management in a Highly Urbanized and Tropical Watershed,"
Cities and the Environment (CATE):
Vol. 19:
Iss.
1, Article 5.
DOI: 10.15365/1932-7048.1416
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/cate/vol19/iss1/5
DOI
10.15365/1932-7048.1416
