Integrating physical and social variables to enhance understanding of urban forestry key-indicators: Insights from a socio-cultural forest monitoring

Urban forests are vital for enhancing urban life, as they provide environmental benefits and support human well-being. They contribute to cleaner air, cooler cities, and mental and physical health. Yet, despite their importance, little is known about how physical forest features and social perceptions interact to shape the attractiveness of these forests for recreation and well-being. This study addresses this gap by integrating ecological and social perspectives in the context of Switzerland. A nationwide survey (n=3,116) was conducted where respondents were asked to map the forest they visited most frequently and to evaluate their recreation experiences. These spatially explicit participatory GIS data were linked with detailed forest inventory information. Distinct statistical models were developed to explain five indicators of forest use and perception: Reported “Visit frequency”, “General visit satisfaction”, “Perceived visual attractiveness”, satisfaction with “Forest care and management”, and “Self-perceived well-being”. The results show that social and cultural variables explain outcomes far better than physical forest characteristics. The explanatory power of the models ranged from 13 to 40 percent, with forest meanings, especially personal connection to forests, emerging as the most important factor. Spatial patterns revealed distinct clusters of high and low values across Switzerland. In particular, differences corresponded with well-known language regions, highlighting the influence of cultural context. Physical access factors, e.g., distance to bus stops, were of little relevance. These findings highlight the decisive role of people’s perceptions, meanings, and cultural background in shaping forest-related experiences. They demonstrate that physical features alone cannot explain how forests are valued and used. By combining social and ecological data, this study offers a model for understanding urban forests that can be applied in other regions. It provides evidence that policy and planning must integrate cultural and social dimensions to improve management, enhance recreational value, and strengthen the role of urban forests in supporting well-being. • Integrates forest inventory data with detailed socio-cultural survey responses • Reveals distinct spatial clusters of key forest indicators via participatory mapping • Advances understanding of forest indicators for recreation and visual perception • Identifies forest meanings (e.g., personal connection) as significant across models • Facilitates informed decision-making in urban forest policy and management