Study title

Biodiversity Actions, Challenges and Solutions in Urban Grasslands 2023

Dataset ID Number

FSD4033

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4033
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4033

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Pouta, Pasi (University of Helsinki)
• Lampinen, Jussi (University of Helsinki)
• Kotze, Johan (University of Helsinki)
• Tahvonen, Outi (Häme University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

The survey examines the views of individuals working in tasks related to green infrastructure regarding urban grasslands as part of the green infrastructure of cities and municipalities. The survey was collected as part of a doctoral dissertation conducted at the University of Helsinki, the aim of which is to promote biodiversity in urban environments.

First, respondents were asked how their current or previous job description is related to green infrastructure and how they found out about the survey. Next, respondents were asked about their views on the benefits that urban grasslands provide as part of green infrastructure. After this, the survey used a series of statements to examine respondents' views on the aesthetic, social, and ecological characteristics of urban grasslands. The statements concerned, among other things, requirements for a tidy appearance of urban grasslands, pollinator-friendly vegetation, species diversity, and the use of grasslands for leisure and as meeting places.

Subsequently, respondents were asked to propose ways to promote biodiversity in urban grasslands and to consider the challenges associated with these measures and possible solutions. After this, respondents were asked to assess the extent to which they are able to influence biodiversity in urban grasslands through their own work. In addition, respondents were asked to evaluate the possibilities of other stakeholders, such as political decision-makers, research, green area planning, and green area construction, to influence biodiversity conservation.

Background variables included are the respondent's age, gender, response language, time of response, industry of employment, and number of years of work experience related to green infrastructure.

Keywords

biodiversity; conservation of nature; development areas (urban planning); environmental conservation; environmental planning; green spaces; municipality; regional planning; towns; urban areas; urban development; urban environment; urban spaces

Topic Classification

• Natural sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Natural environment (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Pouta, Pasi (University of Helsinki)
• Lampinen, Jussi (University of Helsinki)
• Kotze, Johan (University of Helsinki)
• Tahvonen, Outi (Häme University of Applied Sciences)

Funders

• University of Helsinki
• Maj and Tor Nessling Foundation (202100051)
• Olvi Foundation (20200927)

Time Period Covered

2023

Collection Dates

2023-03-03 – 2023-05-22

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Finnish adults whose current or previous work is related to green infrastructure

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Availability

The survey was targeted at all individuals whose current or previous work is related to green infrastructure. The survey invitation link was distributed to public sector employees via direct emails and various mailing lists. In addition, the survey invitation was disseminated through an advert in the Viherympäristö magazine, through which employees in the private sector also had the opportunity to respond to the survey.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Semi-structured questionnaire

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: English.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Number of Cases and Variables

60 variables and 495 cases.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

Due to identifiability reasons, certain place names have been removed from the open-ended responses in the data by the researcher.

The background information file (bgF4033_mul) contains the code tree used in the study, both in English and Finnish. The from and to columns define the connections between higher and lower-level codes. These codes are further linked to open-ended answers in the data file (daF4033_eng). The codes can be found in the columns ending with "Coded" (e.g., "benefitsCoded"), and are separated by semicolons (;).

The open-ended response variables in the data were reviewed and identifiers were removed where necessary. Changes made at FSD are marked with [[double square brackets]].

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Pouta, Pasi (University of Helsinki) & Lampinen, Jussi (University of Helsinki) & Kotze, Johan (University of Helsinki) & Tahvonen, Outi (Häme University of Applied Sciences): Biodiversity Actions, Challenges and Solutions in Urban Grasslands 2023 [dataset]. Data version 1.0 (2026-03-31). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. DOI: https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd4033; URN: https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD4033

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Publications

Pasi Pouta, D. Johan Kotze, Outi Tahvonen, Jussi Lampinen. 2026. How to foster biodiversity in urban grasslands? Stakeholder perceptions on biodiversity actions, challenges and solutions in Finland. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129646