UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning Publishes Research on Native Plant Perceptions
Faculty from the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning published the paper “Perceptions and Preferences for Using Native Plants in Residential Landscapes” in the journal Sustainability, an international, peer-reviewed, open-access journal on environmental, cultural, economic, and social sustainability of human beings.
Authored by Dr. Belinda Nettles, Dr. Gail Hansen and Associate Director Michael Volk, the paper explores the perceptions and preferences of site visitors on the aesthetics, maintenance, environmental value, and willingness to adopt a native plant garden. The team utilized two plots of native plantings that resembled residential gardens and conducted site visit surveys to gauge participants’ viewpoints on native landscapes.
The results showed positive perception to native plant gardens, and participants expressed interest in learning more about native landscapes and their ecological benefits.
