‘Urban biocultural diversity’ as a framework for human–nature interactions: reflections from a Brazilian favela

A novel approach to urban biocultural diversity (BCD) reveals that favelas, often perceived as environmentally degraded areas, harbor rich human-nature connections tied to popular culture, fitness ideals, and civic engagement. This study challenges conventional narratives by applying the BCD framework to Rocinha, a culturally and biologically diverse favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Through qualitative field methods, researchers examined relationships between residents and the neighboring Tijuca Forest, emphasizing interrelationships, varied group values, participation, and reflexivity. The findings highlight how urban BCD can capture nuanced aspects of nature connectedness that ecosystem services paradigms overlook, while cautioning against perpetuating service-oriented thinking. This work offers promising avenues for studying diverse cities with unequal access to natural areas.

Stålhammar, S., & Brink, E. (2020). ‘Urban biocultural diversity’ as a framework for human–nature interactions: reflections from a Brazilian favela. Urban Ecosystems, 24(3), 601–619. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11252-020-01058-3