Linking species distributions and urban governance through social ecological fit in blue green infrastructure

Abstract Blue-Green Infrastructure (BGI) integrates natural elements into urban areas, supporting biodiversity and delivering multiple co-benefits. Its successful implementation, however, requires data-driven ecological planning and coordinated governance, jointly conceived of as social-ecological fit. We assess social-ecological fit using a spatial network framework that combines habitat suitability and connectivity models applied to declining amphibians, with BGI and social network analysis based on multi-sector actor surveys, in Zürich City, a mid-sized European city. Using social-ecological networks (SENs), we identify areas of fit and misfit between BGI and actors. Results show that collaboration among actors is influenced by social-ecological fit, particularly in BGI overlapping with amphibian biodiversity hotspots. However, fit remains limited and uneven: high-value natural and artificial connector habitats, such as natural springs and cemeteries, are often overlooked. The environmental sector serves as a network bridge, while others remain peripheral despite their environmental influence. Our findings highlight the need for cross-sectoral collaboration to enhance biodiversity in cities.