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Strengthening Environmental Conservation: The Role of Connectedness to Nature and Place Attachment in Intentions to Protect Urban Wetlands in Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia

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  • Rodolfo Sapiains

    (Faculty of Social Sciences, Universidad de Chile, Santiago 8330111, Chile
    Center for Climate and Resilience Research (CR)2, Santiago 8370449, Chile
    CIGA Research Center, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile)

  • Herman Elgueta

    (Department of Psychology, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile)

  • Pía Francisca Ríos

    (Independent Researcher, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile)

  • Marcelo Miño

    (Center of Regional Studies, Universidad de Magallanes, Punta Arenas 6210427, Chile)

Abstract

This study investigates the psychological factors influencing intentions to protect urban wetlands in Punta Arenas, Chile. It examines residents’ perceptions and valuations of urban wetlands, exploring relationships between wetland-specific variables and broader environmental and place-based factors. A theoretical model is tested, incorporating place attachment, connectedness with nature, and previous pro-environmental behaviors. The study utilizes a survey with 297 participants and employs structural equation modeling to analyze the data. The results reveal a complex interplay between place-based identities, general environmental orientations, and wetland-specific cognitions in shaping conservation intentions. Connectedness to nature emerges as a central factor influencing both attitudinal and behavioral intention pathways toward wetland protection. The study’s findings have implications for targeted interventions and policy decisions aimed at promoting wetland conservation in urban areas.

Suggested Citation

  • Rodolfo Sapiains & Herman Elgueta & Pía Francisca Ríos & Marcelo Miño, 2025. "Strengthening Environmental Conservation: The Role of Connectedness to Nature and Place Attachment in Intentions to Protect Urban Wetlands in Punta Arenas, Chilean Patagonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:4:p:1665-:d:1593097
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Rodolfo Sapiains & Gabriela Azócar & Pilar Moraga & Catalina Valenzuela & Paulina Aldunce & Camilo Cornejo & Maisa Rojas & Antonio Pulgar & Loreto Medina & Deniz Bozkurt, 2022. "Are Citizens Ready for Active Climate Engagement or Stuck in a Game of Blame? Local Perceptions of Climate Action and Citizen Participation in Chilean Patagonia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-21, September.
    2. Khaled Alawadi, 2017. "Place attachment as a motivation for community preservation: The demise of an old, bustling, Dubai community," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 54(13), pages 2973-2997, October.
    3. Szu-Ju Wu & Eric Ng & Kai-Bo Lin & Yi-Hsin Cheng & Ben A. LePage & Wei-Ta Fang, 2023. "Influence of Landscape Preference and Place Attachment on Responsible Environmental Behavior—A Study of Taipei’s Guandu Nature Park Wetlands, Taiwan," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-16, November.
    4. Daniel Musitu-Ferrer & Celeste León-Moreno & Juan Evaristo Callejas-Jerónimo & Macarena Esteban-Ibáñez & Gonzalo Musitu-Ochoa, 2019. "Relationships between Parental Socialization Styles, Empathy and Connectedness with Nature: Their Implications in Environmentalism," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-20, July.
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    6. Daryanto, Ahmad & Song, Zening, 2021. "A meta-analysis of the relationship between place attachment and pro-environmental behaviour," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 208-219.
    7. Leah S Horowitz, 2013. "Toward Empathic Agonism: Conflicting Vulnerabilities in Urban Wetland Governance," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(10), pages 2344-2361, October.
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