Human-Nature Relations in Urban Gardens: Explorations with Camera Traps

Title of the Paper

Human-Nature Relations in Urban Gardens: Explorations with Camera Traps

Paper Information

• Subject Area: Human-Computer Interaction Design and Urban Ecological Conservation
• Keywords: Camera, Care, Gardening, Human-Computer Interaction, Citizen Perception, Multispecies Relations, Urban Biodiversity

Research Background and Issues

• Identified Problems and Challenges:

  • Urban expansion has increased the distance between humans and nature, limiting animal habitats.
  • Citizens have limited perception of animals in their everyday environment, and there is a lack of research on using sensing technologies to improve human-nature relationships.
  • There is insufficient research on designing sensing technologies to encourage long-term interaction with nature.

• Significance:

  • Urban gardens and green spaces can serve as critical ecological networks supporting animal habitats, but their management relies on individual and community decisions.
  • Researching how technology and design can bridge human-nature relationships contributes to advancing urban ecological conservation.

• Motivation and Related Work:

  • Related studies indicate that sensing technologies can reveal ecological interdependencies between humans and animals and enhance awareness of nature conservation.
  • Camera technology has been widely used in animal behavior studies, but understanding its use among ordinary citizens remains an initial exploration.
  • Using the framework of "multispecies relations," the study investigates technology design that prioritizes the needs of non-human ecologies.

Solution

• Proposed Methods and Solutions:

  • Employ commercial reconnaissance cameras (e.g., hunting cameras or home security cameras) to allow participants to explore animal activities in their private gardens.
  • Introduce the theoretical framework of "multispecies relations," expanding from a human-centered perspective to focus on ecological interactions among animals, plants, and habitats.

• Innovations:

  • Utilize technology for natural exploration in citizens' everyday environments, helping people build relationships with garden animals rather than merely exert control.
  • Explore how sharing media, storytelling, and family interactions can enhance care and connections with nature.

• Implementation Steps and Key Technologies:

  • Participants use cameras to record videos or images in their gardens for a duration ranging from one week to several months.
  • Encourage participants to keep diaries and undergo follow-up interviews to document their perceptions, learning, and actions.
  • Employ qualitative analysis tools (NVivo 12) to code and summarize interview and diary texts.
  • Cameras provide video, audio, and images, inspiring participants to explore questions and relationships related to animals.

Research Outcomes

• Specific Findings:

  • Participants showed strong interest in local animals, particularly rare or aesthetically appealing ones.
  • Images of animal behaviors with "aesthetic appeal, humor, or mystery" were more likely to inspire further exploration by participants.
  • Video media were more effective in fostering relationship-building, such as observing animal behaviors or speculating about animal family dynamics.

• Advantages:

  • Presented more complex "human-animal" relationships, encouraging prolonged observation of biological narratives in gardens.
  • Video files complemented the limitations of static images, enhancing the dimensions of perception.
  • Image sharing facilitated family interactions, promoting care and potentially spreading ecological awareness across generations.

• Experimental Data and Evaluation Results:

  • Experiments demonstrated that the use of technology was linked to participants' ecological knowledge motivation, which was evident in their learning curve when adjusting camera settings and positions.
  • Long-term sensing practices encouraged exploration of dynamic garden processes, such as the impact of seasonal changes on animal behavior.

• Limitations and Future Directions:

  • Technology was limited to sensing certain types of animals, failing to cover a broader range of species (e.g., insects or plants).
  • The study focused heavily on participants from European backgrounds, lacking research on indigenous perspectives or relationships of renters.
  • Suggested the development of more diverse sensing technologies, such as integrating bioacoustics, vibration sensing, or more abstract visual presentations.
  • Called for the co-development of technologies that directly improve urban wildlife habitats, emphasizing the construction of local natural cultures in urban areas.

This study highlights the dual objectives of "technology design": strengthening human-nature relationships while prioritizing the needs of non-human ecologies.