Aesthetic ecosystem services of diverse wildflowers: People's experience shapes preferences for floral traits

Human preferences for landscapes and species can strongly influence the human wellbeing derived from nature and motivation for nature conservation. In this study, we conducted an online survey of 10,000 residents in Japan using photographs of 160 species to determine their aesthetic preferences for wildflowers. Participants with abundant nature experience, i.e., those with old age and high plant identification knowledge scores, preferred a floral trait group with complex traits (bilateral, deep floral tubes/spurs, and downward flower orientation) as well as rare species, whereas participants with limited nature experience preferred flowers with prototypical traits (upward-facing, radial capitulum). With the increase in plant identification knowledge, preference for native or exotic species increased or decreased, respectively. In addition to the previously-noted general innate preferences common to humans across different personal backgrounds, nature experience played an important role in determining floral preferences. This finding suggests that ecosystems with high floral diversity are important to support cultural ecosystem services for humans with diverse preferences. Moreover, our finding that preference for healthy ecosystems containing complex, rare, and native flowers increases through nature experiences suggests a positive feedback loop consisting of nature experience, preference, well-being, and conservation motivation. The loss of opportunities for humans to connect with nature could break this positive feedback loop and accelerate the deterioration of nature. In conclusion, creating opportunities for contact with nature that take human preferences into account could provide a breakthrough for ensuring sustainable nature-based solutions that benefit both societal well-being and natural environment.