Published July 31, 2025 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Community Knowledge and Perceptions of Estero el Salado, an Urban Protected Area in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico, and its Management

Authors/Creators

  • 1. Department of Geography and Environment, Brandon University, Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
  • 2. Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Centro Universitario de la Costa, Universidad de Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico

Description

Urban protected areas are becoming valuable tools to conserve biodiversity in an urbanizing world.  Local public support for urban protected areas is important for the successful conservation of them.  In Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Estero el Saldo is an estuarine urban protected area surrounded by development.  We engaged in a human dimensions study of Puerto Vallartan knowledge and perceptions of Estero el Salado as a measurement of support for its existence and continued conservation efforts.  While there is generally strong support for the continued conservation of Estero el Salado, it is also unknown among a large portion of the city population, and an even smaller proportion of citizens have visited it. These two variables are very important in statistically higher support for conservation and the education roles of Estero el Salado.  We recommend increased awareness and education campaigns with the city to maintain the desire for its conservation into the future.

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