Examining stakeholder attitudes towards tree ecosystem services and disservices in urban environments: insights from Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak

Urbanisation is a growing public health concern worldwide. Green spaces and trees provide critical ecosystem services in urban areas. The perceptions and attitudes of people regarding ecosystem services and disservices of trees were studied in one of the cleanest higher education institutions (HEIs) in India. Based on the Likert scale, this research focused on rating and preferences for ecosystem services and disservices from trees by different stakeholders. The study also aimed to understand the importance of socio-demographic variables on stakeholder’s perceptions towards ecosystem services and disservices. The study attempted to capture specific challenges and suggestions regarding tree management on campus. The survey included 367 people representing administrative staff, faculty members, residents and students from the Maharshi Dayanand University Campus (MDU), Rohtak (Haryana), India. Perceptions of different stakeholders were explored through a semi-structured questionnaire. Respondents rated oxygen (O₂) production, medicinal potential and air pollution reduction services of trees as very important. They also highlighted some disservices of the trees on the university campus, such as problems with pollen allergy, litter, blocking of sunshine and monkey menace. Principal component analysis (PCA) identified eight significant varimax factors (VFs) for ecosystem services and disservices, explaining 59.59% of the variance in the data. Ordinal regression analysis indicated a strong correlation between residents on campus, educational background, marital status and ratings of ecosystem services and disservices. Respondents suggested organising more environmental sensitisation programmes, recruiting staff, ensuring strict compliance with rules and establishing tree clubs. The study concludes that people are highly dependent on campus trees, regard ecosystem services and are not significantly concerned about tree disservices. The findings of this study may motivate and guide universities and higher educational institutions across the globe to explore the perceptions of different stakeholders in understanding the ecological significance of trees for achieving their broad goals of campus sustainability.