Assessing urban rewilding potential: Plant diversity and public landscape perceptions in urban wildscapes of Harbin, China

Abstract

Urban rewilding has gained increasing attention as a strategy to restore ecological processes and enhance biodiversity in cities. Urban wilderness areas, by supporting spontaneous vegetation and minimal human intervention, offer both ecological benefits and opportunities for human-nature interactions. However, few studies have jointly examined plant diversity and public perception across different wilderness types within a single urban context. This study investigated 16 urban wilderness sites in Harbin, China, classified into three types—Remnant and Protected Wilderness (RPW), Vacant Lot Wilderness (VLW), and Industrial Derelict Wilderness (IDW). We conducted field surveys to assess species, functional, and phylogenetic plant diversity, and used a photo-questionnaire (n = 1570) to evaluate public perceptions of aesthetic appeal, restoration, and exploration. Results show that higher exposure to urban wilderness was associated with significantly greater perceived landscape value. RPW sites demonstrated stronger ecological-social synergy, while IDW sites showed weaker coupling coordination. Plant phylogenetic diversity and measured species richness were positively correlated with public perception metrics. The study underscores the potential of differentiated wilderness types to simultaneously advance biodiversity goals and social well-being, emphasizing the need for integrative, site-sensitive approaches to urban rewilding and green space planning.