Using a Community Survey to Assess the Perception and Knowledge of a River's Ecosystem Services

We assessed the knowledge and perception of ecosystem services provided by the Lapa River among nearby residents in Puerto Rico. The study aimed to (1) characterize the socioeconomic profile of residents living near the Lapa River; (2) to describe how nearby communities interact with and use the river; and (3) to assess associations between residents' sociodemographic and economic characteristics and their knowledge and perceptions of the Lapa River, particularly in relation to its use, tourism potential, preservation, and conservation. A total of 235 residents were surveyed. Frequent river visitors were mainly female (61%), aged 40–49 (76%), with a high school education (75%), income exceeding $10,000 (61%), and from households of three or more people (67%). College students (48%) and three-person households (41%) recognized the river's recreational, tourism, and contemplative value. Most participants supported economic development through excursions (82%), recognized the community benefits of the river (81.7%), and agreed that it should be protected (100%). These findings highlight the influence of sociodemographic factors on shaping environmental perceptions and support the development of targeted conservation strategies.