LANDSCAPE PERCEPTION OF A NATURALISTIC PLANTING IN AN ECOTOURISM SPACE

Naturalistic gardens have recently sparked growing interest due to the social and environmental benefits they offer. This type of garden is characterized by the use of native plants, an organic and fluid design, and layouts that avoid straight lines that recreate patterns found in nature, such as flower meadows. In contrast, conventional gardens prioritize aesthetic criteria without considering the required inputs or their environmental impact. The aim of this study was to evaluate visitors’ perceptions of a naturalistic planting with herbaceous species in an ecotourism space in order to propose more sustainable and socially relevant alternatives, while contributing to the discussion on the social acceptance and potential of naturalistic landscaping in Mexico. The study was conducted at the Playa La Junta tourism development in the municipality of Amatlán de los Reyes, Veracruz, to assess the feasibility of its implementation as an ornamental resource that contributes to the area’s tourist appeal. In January 2018, a planting was established, consisting of five ornamental herbaceous plant species: Lantana camara L., Salvia coccinea Buc’hoz ex Etl., Salvia leucantha Cav., Ruellia simplex C. Wright, and Zinnia elegans Jacq. In March 2018, during the flowering period, a survey was given to 150 on-site visitors to assess their perceptions. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and analysis of variance. The results revealed statistically significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in perception levels of the naturalistic planting. Favorable perceptions were found among females and people between the ages of 30 and 60. The most highly valued aspects were the variety of colors and species diversity. The flower meadow obtained a high rating in terms of perception, which highlights its ornamental potential for nature tourism ventures and its capacity to attract more visitors.