How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond

Informal foraging for food and other natural materials in urban greenspaces is an activity undertaken by many across the world. For some, foraging is a necessary means of survival and livelihood, while for others, it provides cultural and recreational opportunities. In the socioeconomic crises induc...

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Main Authors: Mallika Sardeshpande, Patrick T. Hurley, Eefke Mollee, Hesekia Garekae, Annika C. Dahlberg, Marla R. Emery, Charlie Shackleton
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2021.686254/full
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author Mallika Sardeshpande
Mallika Sardeshpande
Patrick T. Hurley
Eefke Mollee
Hesekia Garekae
Annika C. Dahlberg
Marla R. Emery
Charlie Shackleton
author_facet Mallika Sardeshpande
Mallika Sardeshpande
Patrick T. Hurley
Eefke Mollee
Hesekia Garekae
Annika C. Dahlberg
Marla R. Emery
Charlie Shackleton
author_sort Mallika Sardeshpande
collection DOAJ
description Informal foraging for food and other natural materials in urban greenspaces is an activity undertaken by many across the world. For some, foraging is a necessary means of survival and livelihood, while for others, it provides cultural and recreational opportunities. In the socioeconomic crises induced by Covid-19, foraging can help communities, especially (but not exclusively) vulnerable people, cope with the impacts of lockdowns, and associated economic decline. In the long run, foraging can help improve social–ecological resilience in urban systems, particularly in response to climate, economic, and disease disruptions. First, we elaborate the ways in which urban foraging can provide immediate relief from the shocks to natural, human, social, physical, and financial capital. We then describe how over time, the livelihood, food, and income diversification brought about by foraging can contribute to preparedness for future uncertainties and gradual change. Cities are increasingly becoming home to the majority of humanity, and urban foraging can be one of the pathways that makes cities more liveable, for humans as well as other species we coexist with. Through the capitals framework, we explore the role foraging could play in addressing issues of biodiversity conservation, culture, and education, good governance and social justice, multifunctional greenspace, and sustainable nature-based livelihoods in urban areas.
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spelling doaj.art-81a3a7409ac749219c01d956234098932022-12-21T19:36:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sustainable Cities2624-96342021-12-01310.3389/frsc.2021.686254686254How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and BeyondMallika Sardeshpande0Mallika Sardeshpande1Patrick T. Hurley2Eefke Mollee3Hesekia Garekae4Annika C. Dahlberg5Marla R. Emery6Charlie Shackleton7Centre for Transformative Agriculture and Food Systems, School of Agriculture, Engineering, and Environmental Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South AfricaAshoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, Bangalore, IndiaDepartment of Environmental Studies, Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA, United StatesSchool of Natural Sciences, Bangor University, Bangor, United KingdomDepartment of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South AfricaDepartment of Physical Geography, Stockholm University, Stockholm, SwedenForest Service, US Department of Agriculture, Burlington, VT, United StatesDepartment of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, South AfricaInformal foraging for food and other natural materials in urban greenspaces is an activity undertaken by many across the world. For some, foraging is a necessary means of survival and livelihood, while for others, it provides cultural and recreational opportunities. In the socioeconomic crises induced by Covid-19, foraging can help communities, especially (but not exclusively) vulnerable people, cope with the impacts of lockdowns, and associated economic decline. In the long run, foraging can help improve social–ecological resilience in urban systems, particularly in response to climate, economic, and disease disruptions. First, we elaborate the ways in which urban foraging can provide immediate relief from the shocks to natural, human, social, physical, and financial capital. We then describe how over time, the livelihood, food, and income diversification brought about by foraging can contribute to preparedness for future uncertainties and gradual change. Cities are increasingly becoming home to the majority of humanity, and urban foraging can be one of the pathways that makes cities more liveable, for humans as well as other species we coexist with. Through the capitals framework, we explore the role foraging could play in addressing issues of biodiversity conservation, culture, and education, good governance and social justice, multifunctional greenspace, and sustainable nature-based livelihoods in urban areas.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2021.686254/fullcapitalclimate changepandemicresilienceurban foragingurban greenspace
spellingShingle Mallika Sardeshpande
Mallika Sardeshpande
Patrick T. Hurley
Eefke Mollee
Hesekia Garekae
Annika C. Dahlberg
Marla R. Emery
Charlie Shackleton
How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
Frontiers in Sustainable Cities
capital
climate change
pandemic
resilience
urban foraging
urban greenspace
title How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
title_full How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
title_fullStr How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
title_full_unstemmed How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
title_short How People Foraging in Urban Greenspace Can Mobilize Social–Ecological Resilience During Covid-19 and Beyond
title_sort how people foraging in urban greenspace can mobilize social ecological resilience during covid 19 and beyond
topic capital
climate change
pandemic
resilience
urban foraging
urban greenspace
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frsc.2021.686254/full
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