Nature through cultural lens: understanding cultural values toward nature in a rural case study

Traditional agricultural systems in rural regions are emblematic multifunctional landscapes with high ecological and cultural value. However, they are undergoing rapid transformation due to land abandonment, agricultural intensification, and shifting societal values. Understanding how local communities relate to nature is essential for developing inclusive conservation strategies and safeguarding biocultural diversity. This study explores local ecological knowledge (LEK), nature’s values, and perceived contributions of nature to a good quality of life in a rural region of southeastern Spain. Twenty-five in-depth interviews were qualitatively coded to examine perceptions of nature change, its drivers, and the cultural importance of nature. Most participants perceived a negative trend in nature, mainly attributed to climate change, habitat degradation, and agricultural intensification. Nature was primarily valued for its contributions to physical well-being, cultural identity, place attachment, and social cohesion, highlighting the interdependence of biological and cultural dimensions in rural landscapes. Despite concerns about land abandonment and rural depopulation, some participants also identified positive trends, including habitat restoration and more sustainable agricultural practices. The results revealed strong biocultural interconnections between ecological and cultural dimensions, with LEK acting as a key conduit linking people and plants through knowledge transmission. Plants and landscapes emerged as the most salient ecological elements, associated with agricultural traditions, festivals, domestic practices, and symbolic, spiritual, and identity-related values. Overall, these findings highlight the importance of examining biocultural diversity through LEK to improve understanding of human–nature relationships and to inform conservation policies that integrate local values while promoting ecosystem integrity and human well-being.