The Importance of Cultural Ecosystem Services Provided by Collective Gardens in Geneva, Switzerland

2025

Collective gardens (CGs), also known as community gardens in North America, provide cultural ecosystem services (CES) to their membership. CES are the non-material benefits people obtain from nature. They include recreation, aesthetic enjoyment, physical and mental health benefits, and spiritual experiences. The objectives of this research were to determine which CES are obtained by CG members and which CES were impacted by Covid-19 in Geneva, Switzerland. To accomplish the objectives of this research, qualitative, semi-structured interviews took place with five members of collective gardens in Geneva. Building upon the themes presented by membership through the interview process, a quantitative survey was then distributed to 41 collective gardens and their membership across the canton. The survey received participation from 27 people with representation from across five CGs. This was done to inform a more comprehensive understanding of the CES provided by these urban spaces. CES were the most highly ranked ecosystem service (ES) provided to CG membership. Three primary CES were indicated as most obtained by collective garden members: connection to nature, mental health, and connection to food (including the satisfaction associated with the process). The three primary CES impacted by Covid-19 were connection to nature, mental health, and aesthetic enjoyment. This research provides a vital assessment of the communities surrounding CGs in Geneva, Switzerland, and the CES provided by these spaces. This research fills a gap in existing research pertaining specifically to CES of CGs in Geneva.