How the Cognition and Emotion of Urban Residents Toward City Trees Evoke Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of the Banyan Tree Spaces in Guangzhou, China

How the Cognition and Emotion of Urban Residents Toward City Trees Evoke Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of the Banyan Tree Spaces in Guangzhou, China | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Article How the Cognition and Emotion of Urban Residents Toward City Trees Evoke Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of the Banyan Tree Spaces in Guangzhou, China Yifei Ouyang, Feiyang Lai, Xiaohe Bai, Weiqi Chu This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7381328/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract Environmental responsibility behaviors of urban residents play an indispensable role in the construction of ecological cities. However, previous studies have not established a causal relationship between environmental responsibility behaviors and urban tree space protection, nor have they recognized the mediating effect of place attachment. This paper takes the typical banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as a case. Through structural equation modeling, it investigates the impact of urban residents' environmental cognition and place attachment on their environmental responsibility behaviors. The results show that: (1) Environmental responsibility behaviors are positively influenced by the ecological value and social relationships dimensions of environmental cognition. (2) Social relationships and recreational value in residents' environmental cognition positively affect place attachment. (3) Place attachment mediates the relationship between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behaviors. The paper aims to provide theoretical guidance for sustainable urban ecological construction by exploring the influencing factors of urban residents' environmental responsibility behaviors. Biological sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental social sciences Social science/Environmental studies Ecological urban construction Place attachment Environmental cognition Social relationships Recreational value Figures Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 1. Introduction Urban greening is an activity focused on the planning and management of urban vegetation, aiming to beautify the urban environment. [1] It consists of various forms of greenery, such as urban lawns and tree planting. [2] Urban tree space refers to natural areas formed by tree canopies, including individual trees and large areas of tree shade found in communities, parks, squares, and streets. [3] It provides residents with rich green spaces [4] and injects natural and cultural elements into the urban environment [5] , offering venues for recreation, social interaction, and health activities. [6,7] However, with urban expansion, the process of urban densification may potentially threaten urban green spaces. [8] Especially in the Global South, green spaces face tremendous development pressure. Cities are forced to cut down street trees to make room for infrastructure projects [9] , even though these trees have many functions and values. [10] Urban trees, as an essential part of nature, enable residents to experience the natural environment through urban greening, fostering emotional attachment. [11] When these trees face the threat of being cut down, it triggers emotional reactions from residents, [12] motivating them to engage in environmental protection actions. [13] This has created greater demands and challenges for government urban environmental governance. In this context, it becomes increasingly important to focus on the driving factors behind residents' environmentally responsible behavior (ERB). [14,15] Environmental responsibility behavior refers to actions taken by residents to reduce adverse environmental impacts and promote environmental sustainability. [16] Current research in this area primarily focuses on eco-tourism, emphasizing the behavior of protecting the environment while enjoying natural ecosystems during travel. [17] Similarly, the protection of urban tree spaces by residents stems from their interaction with these tree spaces, resulting in a sense of environmental responsibility. Both concepts essentially reflect active engagement and concern for the environment. Although recent studies have begun to explore environmental protection behavior related to urban trees, [18] they have not yet established a causal relationship between environmental responsibility behavior and the protection of urban tree spaces. Therefore, it is of significant importance to explore the environmental responsibility behavior of residents within urban tree spaces. Research has shown that environmental cognition [19] and place attachment significantly positively influence individuals' environmental responsibility behavior. Environmental cognition includes the perceived value of the environment and the social relationships formed through urban greening. Currently, research on environmental cognition mainly focuses on the impact of environmental knowledge [20] and satisfaction [21] on environmental responsibility behavior. However, the environmental value has also been overlooked as a critical factor influencing residents' environmental responsibility behavior. Yet, existing research has seldom examined the environmental value within environmental cognition, especially with regard to spaces formed by urban trees. The environmental value of urban trees is rich and includes ecological, recreational, and cultural values. [22] However, research has yet to clarify whether the value of spaces formed by tree canopies affects environmental responsibility behavior. In addition, these trees not only optimize the urban ecological environment but also provide social spaces for residents, fostering social relationships, which, in turn, influence residents' environmental responsibility behavior. [23] Therefore, it is essential to understand the content of the environmental value of urban tree spaces and how it affects environmental responsibility behavior. In addition, scholars have found that place attachment is widely defined as a prerequisite for environmentally responsible behavior [24] and often acts as a mediator influencing environmental responsibility behavior. [25] In urban green space research, environmental cognition is considered the main influencing factor of place attachment. [26] Based on this understanding, a relationship can be constructed between environmental value, social relationships, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior. The banyan tree space in Guangzhou, formed by the massive canopies of banyan trees, is not only a symbol of urban greening in Guangzhou but also an important part of the city's historical and cultural heritage. These banyan trees are deeply rooted in the old town of Guangzhou and are widely distributed along the city’s roads, parks, and communities. They not only carry the memories and emotions of the people of Guangzhou but also form the unique "Banyan Tree Head" culture. Moreover, they have witnessed the development and transformation of the city, becoming an indispensable part of the local people's memories. In 2021, the large-scale felling of banyan trees in Guangzhou triggered strong emotional responses and protective behaviors among residents, ultimately driving the optimization of the city's greening policies. [27] Based on the above understanding, this paper takes the banyan tree space in Guangzhou as a case representative of urban greening and constructs a comprehensive cognition-emotion-behavior framework to study the factors influencing urban environmental responsibility behavior. Specifically, this paper considers residents' environmental value, social relationships, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior toward tree spaces. To more comprehensively reveal the factors influencing this behavior, this paper also explores whether place attachment mediates the relationship between residents’ environmental value, social relationships, and environmental responsibility behavior. First, an exploratory factor analysis is conducted to analyze the dimensions of the environmental value of urban tree spaces. Then, structural equation modeling is used to reveal the relationship among these factors. It hope provide more effective sustainable policy recommendations for urban planning and management. 2. Research Area, Hypotheses and Methods 2.1 Research Area This paper selects 59 different types of banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as the research objects (Figure 1). These include Donghu Park, Rongyuan Community, Xiaozhou Village, Rongshutou Pocket Park, Guihuagang, Haizhu Square, Yanjiang Road, Huifudong Road, and others. The paper covers eight types of banyan tree spaces: urban park, old residential community, urban village park, pocket park, old urban district, urban square, greenway, and commercial street district (Figure 2). These banyan trees are mainly located in the old urban areas of Guangzhou, characterized by a large number and long tree ages. They are surrounded by numerous residential neighborhoods, where residents frequently engage in activities under the banyan trees, making them representative of the broader urban environment. 2.2 Research Hypotheses Based on existing research findings, this paper constructs a model of relationships between residents' environmental cognition of urban tree spaces and place attachment, as well as environmentally responsible behavior, using the Cognition-Affect-Behavior (CAB) model. The environmental cognition of urban tree spaces is divided into four dimensions: ecological value, cultural value, recreational services, and social relationships. The following hypotheses are proposed (Figure 3): H1: Ecological value has a positive impact on place attachment. H2: Recreational value has a positive impact on place attachment. H3: Cultural value has a positive impact on place attachment. H4: Social relationships have a positive impact on place attachment. H5: Ecological value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. H6: Recreational value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. H7: Cultural value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. H8: Social relationships have a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. H9: Place attachment has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior. 2.3Questionnaire Design This paper conducted a pre-survey from June 10 to June 14, 2023, in Liwan Park, Yanyunxi Old Residential Area, and Sanyanjing Pocket Park. Based on the results of the pre-survey, certain items were removed, and ambiguities or difficult-to-understand questions were revised to form the final version of the questionnaire. The formal questionnaire consists of four parts: 1Environmental Cognition: This section includes four dimensions—ecological value, entertainment value, cultural value, and social relationships—measured using 17 items. Ecological Value: The ecological value scale was adapted from Lo and Jim's scale. [28] Entertainment Value: The entertainment services scale was based on the landscape and entertainment scale proposed by Jim and Chen. [6] Cultural Value: The cultural value was designed based on Dwyer et al.'s approach [45] and tailored to the specific characteristics of Guangzhou's banyan trees. Social Relationships: This dimension was adapted from Jones's indicators, assessing the closeness of neighborhood relationships, including the friendliness, interaction frequency, and willingness to participate in collective activities. [51] 2Emotions: This section measures place attachment using an established scale. The items were adapted from Chang's place attachment scale, including 11 items. 3Behavior: This refers to environmentally responsible behavior, measured using a scale from Cheng and Wu, including 8 items. [25] 4Demographic Information: This section gathers basic personal information from respondents. Among these, the ecosystem cultural services, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behaviors were measured using a Likert 5-point scale, which indicates the respondents' level of agreement or disagreement with each statement. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, where: 1 = Strongly Agree 2 = Agree 3 = Neutral 4 = Disagree 5 = Strongly Disagree 2.4 Data Collection and Analysis From July 11 to August 23, 2023, the research team distributed questionnaires at 59 representative banyan tree spaces. The sample size for each case point ranged from 20 to 21 participants. The survey targeted residents actively engaged in activities within the banyan tree spaces, specifically in the shaded areas under the trees. A total of 1,285 questionnaires were collected, of which 32 were excluded for being incomplete or containing identical answers to all items. As a result, 1,226 valid questionnaires were retained, yielding an effective response rate of 95.4%. Additionally, the research team conducted unstructured interviews with 15 residents who were familiar with the banyan trees and willing to express their personal views during the survey process. These interviews provided qualitative insights to complement the quantitative data. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 software. Following the method proposed by Anderson and Gerbing, [29] structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore the relationships among the variables and to test the hypothesized model. This approach also helped assess the mediating role of place attachment in the relationships between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behaviors. 3. Results Analysis 3.1 Sample Description Descriptive statistical analysis of the sample is presented in Table 1. The results indicate that the proportion of male participants (51.7%) slightly exceeds that of female participants (48.3%). Among the respondents, the majority fall within the income range of 3,000–5,000 yuan and 5,001–8,000 yuan, which reflects a relatively low to moderate income level. Over half of the respondents hold a high school (vocational) or higher education degree, suggesting a relatively high level of cultural and educational attainment. In terms of occupation, the largest group of respondents were employed in enterprises, followed by self-employed individuals or freelancers. Approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the respondents were married, and nearly half (43%) had one child. More than half (51.4%) of the respondents had lived in Guangzhou for over 25 years, and most respondents held urban residency status (89.6%), indicating that the majority of participants were urban residents. Furthermore, 69.7% of the respondents owned their homes, suggesting a high level of housing stability. Table 1. Descriptive Statistics of Demographic Variables (N = 1226) Background Category Proportion% Background Category Proportion% Age 18-29 28.7 Gender Male 51.7 30-39 22.7 Female 48.3 40-49 20.9 Number of children 0 28.1 50-59 14.1 1 43 ≥60 13.6 ≥2 28.9 Occupation Government/Institutional Employee 7.30 Income (Monthly) 15000 yuan 5.30 Others 13.1 Length of Residence in Guangzhou ≤25 years 48.6 Education Level Elementary School and Below 8.20 >25 years 51.4 Junior High School 29.4 Housing Ownership Owns Property 69.7 High School (Vocational School) 23.2 Does Not Own Property 30.3 Undergraduate (Associate Degree) 31.1 Residency Status Urban Residency 89.6 Graduate or Above 8.10 Rural Residency 10.4 3.2 Reliability and Validity Testing Following the guidelines proposed by Anderson and Gerbing, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to assess the reliability and validity of the measurement model. [29] According to these standards, the standardized factor loadings for all items should be no less than 0.5. Cronbach’s alpha values were used to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the scales. The Cronbach’s alpha values for each construct exceeded the minimum threshold of 0.7 recommended by Nunnally, indicating acceptable reliability. ( Table 2) [30] Similar issues were noted in the model by Shrestha, [31] as the questionnaire was adapted from existing scales. These results support the overall feasibility and reliability of the measurement model used in this paper. Table 2. Correlation and Discriminant Validity Testing Results for Variables Latent Variable Ecological Value Entertainment Value Cultural Value Social Relationships Place Attachment Environmental Responsibility Behavior Ecological Value 0.671 Entertainment Value 0.639 *** 0.655 Cultural Value 0.493 *** 0.83 *** 0.655 Social Relationships 0.536 *** 0.688 *** 0.591 *** 0.71 Place Attachment 0.548 *** 0.768 *** 0.666 *** 0.848 *** 0.728 Environmental Responsibility Behavior 0.621 *** 0.728 *** 0.632 *** 0.721 *** 0.79 *** 0.632 Note: ∗∗∗ indicates p < 0.001 ∗∗ indicates p < 0.01 ∗ indicates p < 0.05 The bold numbers along the diagonal represent the square roots of the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for each latent variable, which are used to assess discriminant validity. To assess the convergent validity of the data, this paper uses both the AVE and CR values. Convergent validity is demonstrated when the latent variables have a sufficient amount of variance captured by their respective indicators, indicating that the items used to measure the constructs are indeed reflective of those constructs. While some constructs (such as Ecological Value, Entertainment Value, Cultural Value, and Environmental Responsibility Behavior) show AVE values below the 0.5 threshold, the CR values for all constructs exceed the 0.6 threshold, which supports the convergent validity of the measurement model. (Table 3) According to Hair et al., if the CR value exceeds 0.6, the construct can still be considered to have adequate convergent validity, even if the AVE is below 0.5. [48] In conclusion, despite the AVE values being slightly below 0.5 for several constructs, the CR values are sufficiently high to confirm the convergent validity of the model, meaning that the measurement instruments used to assess these variables are reliable and valid. Table 3.Descriptive Statistics and Reliability Analysis Dimension Item Cronbach’s Alpha Factor Loadings CR AVE Ecological Value ECV1: The banyan tree space can reduce urban noise 0.765 0.63 0.77 0.45 ECV2: The banyan tree space can provide shelter on rainy days 0.73 ECV3: The banyan tree space can provide habitat and food for animals 0.68 ECV4: The banyan tree space can reduce flooding caused by heavy rain 0.64 Entertainment Value ENV1: The banyan tree space can provide a healthy place for activities 0.74 0.72 0.75 0.43 ENV2: The banyan tree space can provide opportunities to connect with nature 0.64 ENV3: The banyan tree space can offer a wonderful life experience 0.61 ENV4: The banyan tree space can offer a unique activity space for the city 0.65 Cultural Value CV1: Banyan trees are witnesses to Guangzhou's history 0.75 0.68 0.75 0.43 CV2: Banyan trees are symbols of Guangzhou's culture 0.67 CV3: Banyan trees represent Guangzhou's landscape features 0.63 CV4: Banyan trees symbolize Guangzhou's image 0.64 Social Relationships ST1: Neighbors get along harmoniously in the banyan tree space 0.83 0.68 0.83 0.50 ST2: Residents in the banyan tree space are friendly 0.64 ST3: I know many people in the banyan tree space 0.7 ST4: I am willing to work with others to improve our banyan tree space 0.72 ST5: I often chat and rest with my neighbors under the banyan trees 0.74 Place Attachment PA1: The banyan tree space has become part of my life 0.926 0.78 0.92 0.53 PA2: The banyan tree space is very special to me 0.72 PA3: I have a strong sense of identification with the banyan tree space 0.73 PA4: I am very attached to the banyan tree space 0.72 PA5: The banyan tree space reflects who I am 0.74 PA6: The banyan tree space is very important to me 0.7 PA7: The banyan tree space is the best place for my leisure activities 0.75 PA8: For me, no other outdoor leisure space compares to the banyan tree space 0.74 PA9: I am more satisfied with the banyan tree space than other outdoor leisure places 0.71 PA10: Leisure activities in the banyan tree space are more important to me compared to other outdoor places 0.73 PA11: Leisure activities in the banyan tree space cannot be replaced by other places 0.71 Environmental Responsibility Behavior ERB1: When I notice someone engaging in environmentally irresponsible behavior (e.g., littering, spitting) in the banyan tree space, I will take action to stop them or report it to the management 0.835 0.54 0.83 0.39 ERB2: I will not litter in the banyan tree space 0.50 ERB3: I will protect the environment in the banyan tree space during activities 0.57 ERB4: I will follow the environmental guidelines of the banyan tree space 0.52 ERB5: I will try to address environmental issues in the banyan tree space 0.68 ERB6: I will discuss environmental protection issues related to the banyan tree space with others 0.73 ERB7: I will pay attention to news reports or videos about the banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou 0.73 ERB8: When I see someone damaging the environment, I will persuade them to stop their negative behavior 0.66 ECV: Ecological Value. ENV: Entertainment Value. CV: Cultural Value. ST: Social Relationships. PA: Place Attachment. ERB: Environmental Responsibility Behavior. 3.3. Structural Equation Model Fit Indices and Adjustment Plan Based on previous studies, [49] control variables such as age, gender, marital status, housing ownership, number of children, and household registration type were included in the structural equation model. These values indicated that the model did not meet the required fit standards. Following Wu's recommendation, when researchers propose a hypothesized model based on literature or empirical guidelines but find that the fit indices are not satisfactory, model modification is necessary. [32] In this paper, Modification Indices (MIs) were used to adjust the model. After the modifications, the new fit indices improved significantly. (Table 4) These adjusted values meet the standard requirements for model fit, and as a result, the SEM pathway analysis and parameter estimation were successfully completed. Table 4. Model Fit Indices Model Fit X²/DF RMSEA IFI CFI TLI Ideal Value 1< X²/DF<5 0.9 >0.9 >0.9 Initial Model 6.221 0.065 0.818 0.817 0.804 Modified Model 3.513 0.045 0.913 0.913 0.906 3.5 Hypothesis Testing The results of the hypothesis testing are presented below. Hypotheses H2, H4, H6, H7, and H9 are supported (Figure 4). ⑴Hypothesis Testing between "Environmental Cognition" and "Place Attachment": Hypotheses H2 and H4 are supported, while H1 and H3 are not supported. Entertainment value has a significant positive effect on place attachment (β = 0.310, P < 0.01). Social relations have a significant positive effect on place attachment (β = 0.613, P < 0.01). However, ecological value (β = 0.001, p = 0.968) and cultural value (β = 0.052, p = 0.371) have a positive but non-significant effect on place attachment. (2) Hypothesis Testing between "Environmental Cognition" and "Environmental Responsibility Behavior": Hypotheses H5 and H8 are supported, but H6 and H7 are not. Ecological value significantly and positively affects environmental responsibility behavior (β = 0.183, P < 0.001). Social relations significantly and positively affect environmental responsibility behavior (β = 0.134, P < 0.05). However, entertainment value (β = 0.146, P = 0.082) and cultural value (β = 0.035, P = 0.580) have a non-significant effect on environmental responsibility behavior. (3) Testing of Hypothesis H9: Hypothesis H9 is supported. Place attachment significantly and positively affects environmental responsibility behavior (β = 0.451, P < 0.001), which is consistent with previous research findings. [31] 3.6 Mediating Effect of Place Attachment The mediating effect was analyzed using AMOS software. (Table 5, Table 6)The results indicate significant mediating effects in the relationships between: Social Relations → Place Attachment → Environmental Responsibility Behavior Entertainment Value → Place Attachment → Environmental Responsibility Behavior Therefore, it can be concluded that place attachment plays a mediating role in the relationship between ecosystem cultural services and residents' environmental responsibility behavior. Table 5. Analysis of the Influence of Place Attachment Pathway Standardized Path Coefficient Direct Effect Indirect Effect Total Effect Entertainment Value → Environmental Responsibility Behavior 0.145 0.14 0.285 Social Relations → Environmental Responsibility Behavior 0.134 0.272 0.405 Table 6. Mediating Effect Analysis of Place Attachment Pathway Mediating Effect Value Bias-Corrected 95% Confidence Interval Lower Upper P Entertainment Value → Place Attachment → Environmental Responsibility Behavior 0.117 0.054 0.203 0.002 Social Relations → Place Attachment → Environmental Responsibility Behavior 0.231 0.151 0.336 0.001 4. Environmental Cognition and Place Attachment's Impact on Urban Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior 4.1 The Impact of Value Cognition on Urban Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior From the perspective of how urban residents' environmental cognition influences environmental responsibility behavior, it was found that the indicators of ecological value and social relations in value cognition both have significant positive effects on residents' environmental responsibility behavior. Ecological value refers to the functions provided by urban trees that help improve air quality, regulate the climate, and manage water cycles. The banyan trees, with their dense foliage and extensive root systems, play an important role in alleviating the urban heat island effect and improving the urban environment for residents. Moreover, it was found that when the ecological characteristics of banyan trees change, residents can quickly notice these changes and express a desire to protect the trees. For example, one resident stated, "We often gather under the banyan trees, enjoying the shade and shelter they provide. Under the tree, I feel detached from the hustle and bustle of the city. If the tree branches are cut, we will lose that shade. I would ask the community why they are cutting the branches and oppose further tree cutting." Additionally, this paper expands on Jones’ research regarding how the perception of trees’ ecological value can influence residents' environmental protection attitudes. The paper found that most residents visit the banyan tree spaces in groups. The more frequently residents interact with their friends or the more important their friends are to them, the stronger their desire to protect the banyan trees. During unstructured interviews, it was also found that when residents chat under the banyan trees, they frequently discuss the possibility of tree cutting. If the banyan trees were to be cut down, an important social space would be lost, and they would oppose the cutting. Thus, it can be concluded that strong social relationships enhance residents' cohesion, promote information exchange, and foster a shared environmental consciousness, which in turn drives residents to take environmental protection actions. Therefore, social relationships significantly increase residents' attention to urban greening, while the recreational services provided by urban green spaces further strengthen their concern for the environment. These factors collectively stimulate residents to actively seek information and participate in urban greening protection initiatives. 4.2 The Impact of Place Attachment on Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior Consistent with most previous studies, [52] this paper found that place attachment significantly and positively influences environmental responsibility behavior. This suggests that residents' emotional attachment to urban greenery increases their likelihood of actively engaging in environmental protection efforts. Place attachment is often closely tied to residents' personal experiences and memories. The paper found that residents' emotional attachment to banyan trees is largely derived from childhood memories, which in turn influence their attitudes toward protecting the trees. For example, one resident shared, "There was a large banyan tree at the entrance of our village when I was a child, and our village regarded it as a Feng Shui tree—it holds a lot of emotional significance. Now, whenever I see a banyan tree in Guangzhou, I think of the big banyan tree at the entrance of my hometown village, and it evokes a sense of homesickness. Protecting banyan trees is something I must do." This finding supports the research of McGrath et al., which suggests that place attachment is a key factor influencing environmental responsibility behavior. [20] Moreover, this paper found that environmental cognition, including recreational value and social relations, can indirectly affect environmental responsibility behavior through place attachment. Place attachment serves as a mediator between recreational services and environmental responsibility behavior. In this case, the banyan tree space’s recreational services provide a place for residents of various age groups to connect with nature and relax. Residents walk, exercise, and rest under the banyan trees, developing a reliance on their recreational function. Over time, this builds an emotional connection to the banyan tree space. Residents also become more concerned with the condition of the banyan trees, which ultimately leads to environmental responsibility behavior—namely, the responsibility and willingness to protect urban greenery. On the other hand, place attachment plays a mediating role between social relations and environmental responsibility behavior. Place attachment is not only a natural extension of social relationships but also an important link that motivates residents to protect urban greenery. This is because neighbors frequently gather in the banyan tree space, making it an indispensable social venue in their daily lives. Over time, stable social relationships between neighbors endow the space with special significance, deepening residents' attachment to the banyan tree space. Therefore, when the banyan tree faces changes or threats, residents, due to their strong emotional connection, engage in collective protective behavior. 5. Discussion and Conclusion This paper, using the banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as a case study, explores the relationship between the cultural ecosystem services of urban greenery and place attachment within the framework of factors influencing urban residents' environmental responsibility behavior. The goal is to propose strategies that promote the construction of urban ecological environments and enhance the quality of life for urban residents. Currently, China is at a critical stage in advancing the construction of eco-cities. Urban residents, as key participants in urban ecological protection and development, play an essential role in shaping and influencing environmental responsibility behaviors. Therefore, the formation and influencing factors of these behaviors warrant significant attention. Based on the "Cognition-Attitude-Behavior" theoretical paradigm, this paper proposes and verifies the relationships between environmental cognition, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior in urban greenery. 5.1 Discussion 5.1.1 Theoretical Significance This paper makes several substantial contributions to the existing body of knowledge. 1Addressing Gaps in Previous Research Previous studies have primarily focused on the ecological benefits of urban trees, such as their effects on the environment, [33] leisure and entertainment, [34,35] and cultural symbolism. [36] These studies typically emphasize the environmental value provided by urban tree spaces. This paper, however, explores the relationship between the environmental value of urban tree spaces and residents' environmental responsibility behaviors. It synthesizes the factors influencing residents' environmental responsibility, analyzing the relationships between ecological value, social relationships, and environmental responsibility behavior. This approach offers some innovative insights and theoretical value. 2Confirming the Role of Current Research This paper elucidates how environmental cognition of urban tree spaces influences residents' place attachment. It clarifies the roles of social relationships and entertainment services in fostering place attachment. This conclusion aligns with the current body of research indicating that place attachment is jointly influenced by both the material characteristics of the environment and social relationships. [46] 。 3Establishing a New Framework This paper introduces the theory of place attachment into the theoretical framework of environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behavior. It demonstrates that residents' environmental cognition of urban tree spaces can indirectly influence their environmental responsibility behaviors through place attachment. Consequently, when studying the factors that influence residents' environmental responsibility, it is essential to consider both ecological environmental factors and emotional factors. This provides valuable insights for urban greening decisions, particularly in urban tree planting and planning. It also holds practical significance for promoting sustainable urban greening and reinforcing residents' environmental responsibility behaviors. 4Contradictions with Existing Research This paper also found no significant correlations between ecological value, cultural value, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior in the context of ecosystem cultural services. These findings contradict previous research conclusions. [34, 53] [37] A potential explanation for this discrepancy could be the cultural and value differences among various resident groups, which significantly influence their perception of the cultural value of urban greening. [54] Moreover, the impact of the recent pandemic may have shifted residents' focus, as they were more interested in outdoor activities for entertainment and socializing, rather than considering the ecological and cultural values of urban greenery. 5.1.2 Practical Significance This paper provides important practical insights for the management of urban tree spaces in urban greening efforts. 1Developing Dimensions for Urban Tree Value Perception The paper identifies dimensions of urban tree value perception, including ecological value, entertainment value, cultural value, and social relationships. This segmentation helps to gain a more comprehensive understanding of urban residents' perceptions and attitudes toward green spaces. [38] Future urban planning should take into account the diversity of residents' perceptions of urban greening to optimize the natural experiences of city dwellers, [39] ensuring that urban greening initiatives enhance the quality of life for residents through a varied and inclusive approach. [40] 。 2Urban Greening as a Social and Recreational Space Urban greening provides unique natural spaces for social gathering in congested cities, fostering social interaction. [41] These spaces also help residents build a collective environmental consciousness through social relationships. In future urban management, it is essential to respect and utilize these social connections to encourage residents to take responsibility for environmental protection. Additionally, urban greening serves as an important space for leisure and the appreciation of nature. [42] Tree spaces can provide a sense of fulfillment for urban residents and instill a sense of mission for environmental protection. [35] Consequently, urban development should prioritize the ecological value of urban greening from residents' perspectives, creating green spaces that offer both leisure and entertainment functions, thereby constructing an eco-friendly, socially cohesive urban environment that enhances residents' environmental awareness. 3Emphasizing Residents' Emotional Connection to Urban Greening Urban greening contributes to an environment that promotes joy and relaxation. Social interactions are more abundant in these spaces, forming residents' emotional attachment to the environment. [43] These emotional connections can significantly influence their decision-making and behaviors. [44] Therefore, urban development should deeply consider the close relationship between nature and residents' emotions, ensuring that urban growth aligns with the natural environment to achieve harmonious coexistence between the two. 4Balancing “Quantity” and “Quality” in Urban Greening Planning Urban greening planning should aim for a synergistic improvement of both "quantity" and "quality." "Quantity" focuses on preserving urban green resources and ensuring that residents have adequate access to tree spaces for activities. "Quality" emphasizes the multifunctionality of green spaces. By creating spaces that facilitate both neighborhood interactions and leisure activities, urban tree spaces can maximize their natural benefits, enhancing the appeal of urban greening. With the combined effects of both "quantity" and "quality," residents' sense of place attachment to urban greening will increase, inspiring them to respect nature and actively engage in the protection of green spaces. This approach will expedite the goal of achieving a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Furthermore, the government should explore collaborative management models for urban greening, encouraging citizen participation in urban greening efforts. Public awareness campaigns can improve residents' attention to and satisfaction with urban greening, fostering a culture of "greening, protecting, and maintaining" that contributes to creating a more livable and sustainable urban environment. 5.2 Conclusion This paper, focusing on 59 banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou, analyzed the influence of environmental cognition, residents' place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior. The following conclusions were drawn: 1Significant Influence of Ecological Value and Social Relationships on Environmental Responsibility: In terms of environmental cognition, both ecological value and social relationships have a significant positive impact on residents' environmental responsibility behaviors. However, entertainment value and cultural value do not have a significant impact on environmental responsibility behavior. This suggests that the motivation for protecting banyan trees is primarily influenced by the social relationships between neighbors and the ecological functions provided by the trees. Social relationships enhance group awareness of protection, while ecological value increases residents' reliance on the trees. Both factors work together to promote the formation of environmental responsibility behavior among residents. 2Environmental Cognition and Its Impact on Place Attachment: The social relationships and entertainment value indicators in environmental cognition have a positive impact on place attachment, while ecological value and cultural value do not show significant correlations with place attachment. Place attachment consists of two dimensions: place dependence and place identity. [32] Guangzhou's banyan trees have gradually formed residents' dependence by providing spaces for proximity to nature and relaxation. At the same time, the trees foster a social environment that strengthens neighborhood relationships. This is a key factor in enhancing residents' sense of belonging and identity. Therefore, this paper confirms that urban greening not only serves as a vehicle for residents' place attachment but that the environmental value it provides also significantly influences residents' place attachment. 3Mediating Role of Place Attachment in the Relationship Between Environmental Cognition and Environmental Responsibility: Place attachment mediates the relationship between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behavior. Specifically, the indicators of social relationships and entertainment services in environmental cognition can indirectly influence environmental responsibility behavior through place attachment. Therefore, focusing on residents' environmental cognition, understanding their place attachment to urban greening, and optimizing their environmental responsibility behaviors are crucial for promoting sustainable urban development. 5.3 Limitation This paper analyzes the mechanisms behind Guangzhou residents' environmental responsibility behaviors using banyan tree spaces as a case study. However, whether the findings can be generalized to other regions or types of urban greening requires further verification. Additionally, due to data limitations, the paper did not conduct an in-depth analysis of other potential influencing factors on residents' environmental responsibility behaviors in banyan tree spaces, nor did it explore differences in environmental responsibility behaviors across different resident groups with varying characteristics. Future research could integrate qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct more comprehensive studies on the characteristics and mechanisms of residents' environmental responsibility behaviors in urban greening. Declarations Acknowledgement We thank all the reviewers for their insightful comments on the version of this manuscript. Ethical Statement Written confirmation from the relevant ethics committee that the accordance and the written informed consent statement approval was not requiring approval (Supplementary material): According to the regulations of the Ethics Committee of Nanfang College Guangzhou , ethical approval was not required for this type of survey research. Participation in the survey was entirely voluntary, not involving the elderly and children. All responses were collected anonymously, and no personally identifiable information was obtained. The data were used solely for academic research purposes and were stored securely to ensure confidentiality. Funding The authors declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and publication of this article. Declaration of competing interest The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest for the research, authorship, and publication of this article. Authorship contribution statement Yifei Ouyang: Writing – original draft, Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Project administration, Formal analysis, Conceptualization，Data curation, Methodology, Software. Feiyang Lai: Writing – original draft, Visualization, Project administration, Formal analysis, Conceptualization, Methodology, Software. Xiaohe Bai: Writing – review & editing, Visualization, Project administration, Conceptualization, Methodology. Weiqi Chu: Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization. Data availability The relevant data is included in the supplementary material. 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10:49:09","extension":"xml","order_by":25,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":155418,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"ebfac0191a1a4ae8919612d906eb0f641structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/ed434ed1d0b88c5a72afcbe4.xml"},{"id":97433545,"identity":"fed7d579-b271-43e4-b417-05871359215c","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 10:49:09","extension":"html","order_by":26,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":170285,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/65246a63d6a870839b80b665.html"},{"id":97433514,"identity":"49f58280-ae0d-4627-b3d7-759d6f726e31","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 10:49:08","extension":"png","order_by":1,"title":"Figure 1","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":94667,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe theoretical model.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/3e15f1cf65f18df65a527a2c.png"},{"id":97667631,"identity":"59695693-31d9-4689-9d87-ed4cd2f83dd8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:23:56","extension":"png","order_by":2,"title":"Figure 2","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":328678,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe location of banyan tree spaces.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"2.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/7431f3b4008b7e49947a15f3.png"},{"id":97667285,"identity":"97e7c242-6067-4848-96c0-7d35cdbab801","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:23:12","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"Figure 3","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":55077,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eThe type of banyan tree spaces.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"3.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/2039448142e599ade8866d7c.png"},{"id":97667780,"identity":"e174f6f2-5e74-4af7-8217-980c97165cde","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:24:15","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"Figure 4","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"figure","size":75348,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"\u003cp\u003eStandardized Path Coefficients and Hypothesis Testing Results\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: ∗∗∗indicates p \u0026lt; 0.001, ∗∗indicates p \u0026lt; 0.01, ∗indicates p \u0026lt; 0.05.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll values are standardized path coefficients. Solid lines indicate significant effects, while dashed lines indicate non-significant effects. The meanings of ECV1–ECV4, ENV1–ENV4, CV1–CV4, PA1–PA11, and ERB1–ERB8 are provided in Table 2.\u003c/p\u003e","description":"","filename":"4.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/557a341fb8b0fbed9705208c.png"},{"id":104073653,"identity":"05d78edc-372d-45de-8758-97c5d2e05536","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2026-03-06 12:27:19","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1599435,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/d65bfb52-589b-4d02-8d20-6a7378a179c5.pdf"},{"id":97668015,"identity":"395c3fd7-224c-4e80-b8b2-deae4d40de73","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:24:39","extension":"shp","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"supplement","size":1836,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"file.shp","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7381328/v1/340147c74ea62b6de6b5d2a9.shp"}],"financialInterests":"No competing interests reported.","formattedTitle":"How the Cognition and Emotion of Urban Residents Toward City Trees Evoke Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of the Banyan Tree Spaces in Guangzhou, China","fulltext":[{"header":"1. Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eUrban greening is an activity focused on the planning and management of urban vegetation, aiming to beautify the urban environment.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[1]\u003c/sup\u003e It consists of various forms of greenery, such as urban lawns and tree planting.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[2]\u003c/sup\u003e Urban tree space refers to natural areas formed by tree canopies, including individual trees and large areas of tree shade found in communities, parks, squares, and streets.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[3]\u003c/sup\u003e It provides residents with rich green spaces\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[4]\u003c/sup\u003e and injects natural and cultural elements into the urban environment\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[5]\u003c/sup\u003e , offering venues for recreation, social interaction, and health activities.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[6,7]\u003c/sup\u003e However, with urban expansion, the process of urban densification may potentially threaten urban green spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[8]\u003c/sup\u003e Especially in the Global South, green spaces face tremendous development pressure. Cities are forced to cut down street trees to make room for infrastructure projects\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[9]\u003c/sup\u003e , even though these trees have many functions and values.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[10]\u003c/sup\u003e Urban trees, as an essential part of nature, enable residents to experience the natural environment through urban greening, fostering emotional attachment.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[11]\u003c/sup\u003e When these trees face the threat of being cut down, it triggers emotional reactions from residents,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[12]\u003c/sup\u003e motivating them to engage in environmental protection actions.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[13]\u003c/sup\u003e This has created greater demands and challenges for government urban environmental governance. In this context, it becomes increasingly important to focus on the driving factors behind residents' environmentally responsible behavior (ERB).\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[14,15]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental responsibility behavior refers to actions taken by residents to reduce adverse environmental impacts and promote environmental sustainability.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[16]\u003c/sup\u003e Current research in this area primarily focuses on eco-tourism, emphasizing the behavior of protecting the environment while enjoying natural ecosystems during travel.\u003csup\u003e[17]\u003c/sup\u003e Similarly, the protection of urban tree spaces by residents stems from their interaction with these tree spaces, resulting in a sense of environmental responsibility. Both concepts essentially reflect active engagement and concern for the environment. Although recent studies have begun to explore environmental protection behavior related to urban trees,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[18]\u003c/sup\u003e they have not yet established a causal relationship between environmental responsibility behavior and the protection of urban tree spaces. Therefore, it is of significant importance to explore the environmental responsibility behavior of residents within urban tree spaces.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eResearch has shown that environmental cognition\u003csup\u003e[19]\u003c/sup\u003e and place attachment significantly positively influence individuals' environmental responsibility behavior. Environmental cognition includes the perceived value of the environment and the social relationships formed through urban greening. Currently, research on environmental cognition mainly focuses on the impact of environmental knowledge\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[20]\u003c/sup\u003e and satisfaction\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[21]\u003c/sup\u003e on environmental responsibility behavior. However, the environmental value has also been overlooked as a critical factor influencing residents' environmental responsibility behavior. Yet, existing research has seldom examined the environmental value within environmental cognition, especially with regard to spaces formed by urban trees. The environmental value of urban trees is rich and includes ecological, recreational, and cultural values.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[22]\u003c/sup\u003e However, research has yet to clarify whether the value of spaces formed by tree canopies affects environmental responsibility behavior. In addition, these trees not only optimize the urban ecological environment but also provide social spaces for residents, fostering social relationships, which, in turn, influence residents' environmental responsibility behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[23]\u003c/sup\u003e Therefore, it is essential to understand the content of the environmental value of urban tree spaces and how it affects environmental responsibility behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn addition, scholars have found that place attachment is widely defined as a prerequisite for environmentally responsible behavior\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[24]\u003c/sup\u003e and often acts as a mediator influencing environmental responsibility behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[25]\u003c/sup\u003e In urban green space research, environmental cognition is considered the main influencing factor of place attachment.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[26]\u003c/sup\u003e Based on this understanding, a relationship can be constructed between environmental value, social relationships, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe banyan tree space in Guangzhou, formed by the massive canopies of banyan trees, is not only a symbol of urban greening in Guangzhou but also an important part of the city's historical and cultural heritage. These banyan trees are deeply rooted in the old town of Guangzhou and are widely distributed along the city’s roads, parks, and communities. They not only carry the memories and emotions of the people of Guangzhou but also form the unique \"Banyan Tree Head\" culture. Moreover, they have witnessed the development and transformation of the city, becoming an indispensable part of the local people's memories. In 2021, the large-scale felling of banyan trees in Guangzhou triggered strong emotional responses and protective behaviors among residents, ultimately driving the optimization of the city's greening policies.\u003csup\u003e[27]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the above understanding, this paper takes the banyan tree space in Guangzhou as a case representative of urban greening and constructs a comprehensive cognition-emotion-behavior framework to study the factors influencing urban environmental responsibility behavior. Specifically, this paper considers residents' environmental value, social relationships, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior toward tree spaces. To more comprehensively reveal the factors influencing this behavior, this paper also explores whether place attachment mediates the relationship between residents’ environmental value, social relationships, and environmental responsibility behavior. First, an exploratory factor analysis is conducted to analyze the dimensions of the environmental value of urban tree spaces. Then, structural equation modeling is used to reveal the relationship among these factors. It hope provide more effective sustainable policy recommendations for urban planning and management.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"2. Research Area, Hypotheses and Methods","content":"\u003ch2\u003e2.1 Research Area\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper selects 59 different types of banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as the research objects (Figure 1). These include Donghu Park, Rongyuan Community, Xiaozhou Village, Rongshutou Pocket Park, Guihuagang, Haizhu Square, Yanjiang Road, Huifudong Road, and others. The paper covers eight types of banyan tree spaces: urban park, old residential community, urban village park, pocket park, old urban district, urban square, greenway, and commercial street district (Figure 2). These banyan trees are mainly located in the old urban areas of Guangzhou, characterized by a large number and long tree ages. They are surrounded by numerous residential neighborhoods, where residents frequently engage in activities under the banyan trees, making them representative of the broader urban environment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.2 Research Hypotheses\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on existing research findings, this paper constructs a model of relationships between residents\u0026apos; environmental cognition of urban tree spaces and place attachment, as well as environmentally responsible behavior, using the Cognition-Affect-Behavior (CAB) model. The environmental cognition of urban tree spaces is divided into four dimensions: ecological value, cultural value, recreational services, and social relationships. The following hypotheses are proposed (Figure 3):\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH1: Ecological value has a positive impact on place attachment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH2: Recreational value has a positive impact on place attachment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH3: Cultural value has a positive impact on place attachment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH4: Social relationships have a positive impact on place attachment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH5: Ecological value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH6: Recreational value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH7: Cultural value has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH8: Social relationships have a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eH9: Place attachment has a positive impact on environmentally responsible behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.3Questionnaire Design\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper conducted a pre-survey from June 10 to June 14, 2023, in Liwan Park, Yanyunxi Old Residential Area, and Sanyanjing Pocket Park. Based on the results of the pre-survey, certain items were removed, and ambiguities or difficult-to-understand questions were revised to form the final version of the questionnaire. The formal questionnaire consists of four parts:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1Environmental Cognition: This section includes four dimensions\u0026mdash;ecological value, entertainment value, cultural value, and social relationships\u0026mdash;measured using 17 items.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEcological Value: The ecological value scale was adapted from Lo and Jim\u0026apos;s scale.\u003csup\u003e[28]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEntertainment Value: The entertainment services scale was based on the landscape and entertainment scale proposed by Jim and Chen. \u003csup\u003e[6]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eCultural Value: The cultural value was designed based on Dwyer et al.\u0026apos;s approach \u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[45]\u003c/sup\u003e and tailored to the specific characteristics of Guangzhou\u0026apos;s banyan trees.\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSocial Relationships: This dimension was adapted from Jones\u0026apos;s indicators, assessing the closeness of neighborhood relationships, including the friendliness, interaction frequency, and willingness to participate in collective activities.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[51]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2Emotions: This section measures place attachment using an established scale. The items were adapted from Chang\u0026apos;s place attachment scale, including 11 items.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3Behavior: This refers to environmentally responsible behavior, measured using a scale from Cheng and Wu, including 8 items. \u003csup\u003e[25]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4Demographic Information: This section gathers basic personal information from respondents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong these, the ecosystem cultural services, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behaviors were measured using a Likert 5-point scale, which indicates the respondents\u0026apos; level of agreement or disagreement with each statement. The scale ranges from 1 to 5, where:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"decimal_type\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e1 = Strongly Agree\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e2 = Agree\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e3 = Neutral\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e4 = Disagree\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003e5 = Strongly Disagree\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e2.4 Data Collection and Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom July 11 to August 23, 2023, the research team distributed questionnaires at 59 representative banyan tree spaces. The sample size for each case point ranged from 20 to 21 participants. The survey targeted residents actively engaged in activities within the banyan tree spaces, specifically in the shaded areas under the trees. A total of 1,285 questionnaires were collected, of which 32 were excluded for being incomplete or containing identical answers to all items. As a result, 1,226 valid questionnaires were retained, yielding an effective response rate of 95.4%.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, the research team conducted unstructured interviews with 15 residents who were familiar with the banyan trees and willing to express their personal views during the survey process. These interviews provided qualitative insights to complement the quantitative data.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 24.0 software. Following the method proposed by Anderson and Gerbing, \u003csup\u003e[29]\u003c/sup\u003e structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to explore the relationships among the variables and to test the hypothesized model. This approach also helped assess the mediating role of place attachment in the relationships between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"3. Results Analysis","content":"\u003ch2\u003e3.1 Sample Description\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDescriptive statistical analysis of the sample is presented in Table 1. The results indicate that the proportion of male participants (51.7%) slightly exceeds that of female participants (48.3%). Among the respondents, the majority fall within the income range of 3,000\u0026ndash;5,000 yuan and 5,001\u0026ndash;8,000 yuan, which reflects a relatively low to moderate income level. Over half of the respondents hold a high school (vocational) or higher education degree, suggesting a relatively high level of cultural and educational attainment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of occupation, the largest group of respondents were employed in enterprises, followed by self-employed individuals or freelancers. Approximately two-thirds (2/3) of the respondents were married, and nearly half (43%) had one child. More than half (51.4%) of the respondents had lived in Guangzhou for over 25 years, and most respondents held urban residency status (89.6%), indicating that the majority of participants were urban residents. Furthermore, 69.7% of the respondents owned their homes, suggesting a high level of housing stability.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 1. Descriptive Statistics of Demographic Variables (N = 1226)\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBackground \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProportion%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBackground \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCategory\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eProportion%\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e18-29\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGender\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30-39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFemale\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e40-49\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e20.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"3\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eNumber of children\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e50-59\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e14.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;60\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026ge;2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e28.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"6\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOccupation\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGovernment/Institutional Employee\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e7.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIncome (Monthly)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;3000 yuan\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSelf-employed/Freelancer\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e22.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3000～5000 yuan\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnterprise Employee\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e35.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5001～8000 yuan\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e34.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRetired\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e17.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8001～15000 yuan\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e21.0\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStudent\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e4.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;15000 yuan\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e5.30\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOthers\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e13.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLength of Residence in Guangzhou\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026le;25 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e48.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEducation Level\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eElementary School and Below\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.20\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;25 years\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e51.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eJunior High School\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e29.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHousing Ownership\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eOwns Property\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e69.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eHigh School (Vocational School)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e23.2\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDoes Not Own Property\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e30.3\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUndergraduate (Associate Degree)\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e31.1\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 90px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eResidency Status\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUrban Residency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e89.6\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 133px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eGraduate or Above\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 57px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e8.10\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 118px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRural Residency\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 66px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e10.4\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.2 Reliability and Validity Testing\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing the guidelines proposed by Anderson and Gerbing, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) was employed to assess the reliability and validity of the measurement model.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[29]\u003c/sup\u003e According to these standards, the standardized factor loadings for all items should be no less than 0.5. Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha values were used to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the scales. The Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha values for each construct exceeded the minimum threshold of 0.7 recommended by Nunnally, indicating acceptable reliability. ( Table 2)\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[30]\u003c/sup\u003e Similar issues were noted in the model by Shrestha,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[31]\u003c/sup\u003e as the questionnaire was adapted from existing scales. These results support the overall feasibility and reliability of the measurement model used in this paper.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 2. Correlation and Discriminant Validity Testing Results for Variables\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLatent Variable\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEcological Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntertainment Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCultural Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Relationships\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlace Attachment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEcological Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.671\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntertainment Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.639\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.655\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCultural Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.493\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.655\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Relationships\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.536\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.688\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.591\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.71\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlace Attachment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.548\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.768\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.666\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.848\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.728\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.621\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 13px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.728\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.632\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 15px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.721\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 10px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.79\u003csup\u003e***\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 16px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e0.632\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNote: \u0026lowast;\u0026lowast;\u0026lowast; indicates p \u0026lt; 0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lowast;\u0026lowast; indicates p \u0026lt; 0.01\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u0026lowast; indicates p \u0026lt; 0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bold numbers along the diagonal represent the square roots of the Average Variance Extracted (AVE) for each latent variable, which are used to assess discriminant validity.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo assess the convergent validity of the data, this paper uses both the AVE and CR values. Convergent validity is demonstrated when the latent variables have a sufficient amount of variance captured by their respective indicators, indicating that the items used to measure the constructs are indeed reflective of those constructs.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile some constructs (such as Ecological Value, Entertainment Value, Cultural Value, and Environmental Responsibility Behavior) show AVE values below the 0.5 threshold, the CR values for all constructs exceed the 0.6 threshold, which supports the convergent validity of the measurement model. (Table 3) According to Hair et al., if the CR value exceeds 0.6, the construct can still be considered to have adequate convergent validity, even if the AVE is below 0.5. \u003csup\u003e[48]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, despite the AVE values being slightly below 0.5 for several constructs, the CR values are sufficiently high to confirm the convergent validity of the model, meaning that the measurement instruments used to assess these variables are reliable and valid.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 3.Descriptive Statistics and Reliability Analysis\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"103%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDimension\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCronbach\u0026rsquo;s Alpha\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eFactor\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLoadings\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCR\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eAVE\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" valign=\"top\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEcological Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eECV1: The banyan tree space can reduce urban noise\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.765\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.77\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.45\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eECV2: The banyan tree space can provide shelter on rainy days\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eECV3: The banyan tree space can provide habitat and food for animals\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eECV4: The banyan tree space can reduce flooding caused by heavy rain\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntertainment Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eENV1: The banyan tree space can provide a healthy place for activities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eENV2: The banyan tree space can provide opportunities to connect with nature\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eENV3: The banyan tree space can offer a wonderful life experience\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.61\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eENV4: The banyan tree space can offer a unique activity space for the city\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.65\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"4\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCultural Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCV1: Banyan trees are witnesses to Guangzhou\u0026apos;s history\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.43\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCV2: Banyan trees are symbols of Guangzhou\u0026apos;s culture\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.67\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCV3: Banyan trees represent Guangzhou\u0026apos;s landscape features\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.63\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCV4: Banyan trees symbolize Guangzhou\u0026apos;s image\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"5\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Relationships\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eST1: Neighbors get along harmoniously in the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eST2: Residents in the banyan tree space are friendly\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.64\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eST3: I know many people in the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eST4: I am willing to work with others to improve our banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eST5: I often chat and rest with my neighbors under the banyan trees\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"11\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlace Attachment\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA1: The banyan tree space has become part of my life\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.926\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.78\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.92\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.53\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA2: The banyan tree space is very special to me\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA3: I have a strong sense of identification with the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA4: I am very attached to the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.72\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA5:\u0026nbsp;The banyan tree space reflects who I am\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA6: The banyan tree space is very important to me\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.7\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA7: The banyan tree space is the best place for my leisure activities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.75\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA8: For me, no other outdoor leisure space compares to the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.74\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA9: I am more satisfied with the banyan tree space than other outdoor leisure places\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA10: Leisure activities in the banyan tree space are more important to me compared to other outdoor places\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePA11: Leisure activities in the banyan tree space cannot be replaced by other places\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp; 0.71\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"8\" style=\"width: 18px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB1: When I notice someone engaging in environmentally irresponsible behavior (e.g., littering, spitting) in the banyan tree space, I will take action to stop them or report it to the management\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.835\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.54\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.83\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.39\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB2: I will not litter in the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.50\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB3: I will protect the environment in the banyan tree space during activities\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.57\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB4: I will follow the environmental guidelines of the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.52\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB5: I will try to address environmental issues in the banyan tree space\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.68\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB6: I will discuss environmental protection issues related to the banyan tree space with others\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB7: I will pay attention to news reports or videos about the banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 26px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.73\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eERB8: When I see someone damaging the environment, I will persuade them to stop their negative behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.66\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eECV: Ecological Value. ENV: Entertainment Value. CV: Cultural Value. ST: Social Relationships. \u0026nbsp;PA: Place Attachment. ERB: Environmental Responsibility Behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.3. Structural Equation Model Fit Indices and Adjustment Plan\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBased on previous studies, \u003csup\u003e[49]\u003c/sup\u003e control variables such as age, gender, marital status, housing ownership, number of children, and household registration type were included in the structural equation model. These values indicated that the model did not meet the required fit standards.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing Wu\u0026apos;s recommendation, when researchers propose a hypothesized model based on literature or empirical guidelines but find that the fit indices are not satisfactory, model modification is necessary.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[32]\u003c/sup\u003e In this paper, Modification Indices (MIs) were used to adjust the model. After the modifications, the new fit indices improved significantly.\u0026nbsp;(Table 4) These adjusted values meet the standard requirements for model fit, and as a result, the SEM pathway analysis and parameter estimation were successfully completed.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 4. Model Fit Indices\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"548\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModel Fit\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eX\u0026sup2;/DF\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eRMSEA\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eCFI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTLI\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIdeal Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e1\u0026lt; X\u0026sup2;/DF\u0026lt;5\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026lt;0.05\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e\u0026gt;0.9\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eInitial Model\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e6.221\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.065\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.818\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.817\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.804\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 123px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eModified Model\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e3.513\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.045\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.913\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.913\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 85px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.906\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.5 Hypothesis Testing\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe results of the hypothesis testing are presented below. Hypotheses H2, H4, H6, H7, and H9 are supported (Figure 4).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e⑴Hypothesis Testing between \u0026quot;Environmental Cognition\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;Place Attachment\u0026quot;: Hypotheses H2 and H4 are supported, while H1 and H3 are not supported.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"decimal_type\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEntertainment value has a significant positive effect on place attachment (\u0026beta; = 0.310, P \u0026lt; 0.01).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSocial relations have a significant positive effect on place attachment (\u0026beta; = 0.613, P \u0026lt; 0.01).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHowever, ecological value (\u0026beta; = 0.001, p = 0.968) and cultural value (\u0026beta; = 0.052, p = 0.371) have a positive but non-significant effect on place attachment.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(2) Hypothesis Testing between \u0026quot;Environmental Cognition\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;Environmental Responsibility Behavior\u0026quot;: Hypotheses H5 and H8 are supported, but H6 and H7 are not.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"decimal_type\"\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEcological value significantly and positively affects environmental responsibility behavior (\u0026beta; = 0.183, P \u0026lt; 0.001).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSocial relations significantly and positively affect environmental responsibility behavior (\u0026beta; = 0.134, P \u0026lt; 0.05).\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eHowever, entertainment value (\u0026beta; = 0.146, P = 0.082) and cultural value (\u0026beta; = 0.035, P = 0.580) have a non-significant effect on environmental responsibility behavior.\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e(3) Testing of Hypothesis H9: Hypothesis H9 is supported.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003ePlace attachment significantly and positively affects environmental responsibility behavior (\u0026beta; = 0.451, P \u0026lt; 0.001), which is consistent with previous research findings. \u003csup\u003e[31]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e3.6 Mediating Effect of Place Attachment\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mediating effect was analyzed using AMOS software. (Table 5, Table 6)The results indicate significant mediating effects in the relationships between:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eSocial Relations \u0026rarr; Place Attachment \u0026rarr; Environmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eEntertainment Value \u0026rarr; Place Attachment \u0026rarr; Environmental Responsibility Behavior\u0026nbsp;\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTherefore, it can be concluded that place attachment plays a mediating role in the relationship between ecosystem cultural services and residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behavior.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 5. Analysis of the Influence of Place Attachment\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"2\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 63px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePathway\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 36px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eStandardized Path Coefficient\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eDirect Effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eIndirect Effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eTotal Effect\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntertainment Value \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.145\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.14\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.285\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Relations \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 39px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 9px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.134\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 14px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.272\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 12px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.405\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n\u003c/table\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTable 6. Mediating Effect Analysis of Place Attachment\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv align=\"center\"\u003e\n \u003ctable border=\"1\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n \u003ctbody\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 63px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePathway\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd rowspan=\"2\" style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eMediating Effect Value\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd colspan=\"3\" style=\"width: 24px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eBias-Corrected 95% Confidence\u003cbr\u003e\u0026nbsp;Interval\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eLower\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eUpper\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eP\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEntertainment Value \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlace Attachment \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.117\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.054\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.203\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.002\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003ctr\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 23px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eSocial Relations \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 22px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003ePlace Attachment \u0026rarr;\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 17px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003eEnvironmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 11px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.231\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.151\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 8px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.336\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003ctd style=\"width: 7px;\"\u003e\n \u003cp\u003e0.001\u003c/p\u003e\n \u003c/td\u003e\n \u003c/tr\u003e\n \u003c/tbody\u003e\n \u003c/table\u003e\n\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"4. Environmental Cognition and Place Attachment's Impact on Urban Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior","content":"\u003ch2\u003e4.1\u0026nbsp;The Impact of Value Cognition on Urban Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the perspective of how urban residents' environmental cognition influences environmental responsibility behavior, it was found that the indicators of ecological value and social relations in value cognition both have significant positive effects on residents' environmental responsibility behavior. Ecological value refers to the functions provided by urban trees that help improve air quality, regulate the climate, and manage water cycles. The banyan trees, with their dense foliage and extensive root systems, play an important role in alleviating the urban heat island effect and improving the urban environment for residents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, it was found that when the ecological characteristics of banyan trees change, residents can quickly notice these changes and express a desire to protect the trees. For example, one resident stated, \"We often gather under the banyan trees, enjoying the shade and shelter they provide. Under the tree, I feel detached from the hustle and bustle of the city. If the tree branches are cut, we will lose that shade. I would ask the community why they are cutting the branches and oppose further tree cutting.\"\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdditionally, this paper expands on Jones’ research regarding how the perception of trees’ ecological value can influence residents' environmental protection attitudes. The paper found that most residents visit the banyan tree spaces in groups. The more frequently residents interact with their friends or the more important their friends are to them, the stronger their desire to protect the banyan trees. During unstructured interviews, it was also found that when residents chat under the banyan trees, they frequently discuss the possibility of tree cutting. If the banyan trees were to be cut down, an important social space would be lost, and they would oppose the cutting.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus, it can be concluded that strong social relationships enhance residents' cohesion, promote information exchange, and foster a shared environmental consciousness, which in turn drives residents to take environmental protection actions. Therefore, social relationships significantly increase residents' attention to urban greening, while the recreational services provided by urban green spaces further strengthen their concern for the environment. These factors collectively stimulate residents to actively seek information and participate in urban greening protection initiatives.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e4.2 The Impact of Place Attachment on Residents' Environmental Responsibility Behavior\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eConsistent with most previous studies, \u003csup\u003e[52]\u003c/sup\u003e this paper found that place attachment significantly and positively influences environmental responsibility behavior. This suggests that residents' emotional attachment to urban greenery increases their likelihood of actively engaging in environmental protection efforts. Place attachment is often closely tied to residents' personal experiences and memories. The paper found that residents' emotional attachment to banyan trees is largely derived from childhood memories, which in turn influence their attitudes toward protecting the trees. For example, one resident shared, \"There was a large banyan tree at the entrance of our village when I was a child, and our village regarded it as a Feng Shui tree—it holds a lot of emotional significance. Now, whenever I see a banyan tree in Guangzhou, I think of the big banyan tree at the entrance of my hometown village, and it evokes a sense of homesickness. Protecting banyan trees is something I must do.\" This finding supports the research of McGrath et al., which suggests that place attachment is a key factor influencing environmental responsibility behavior.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[20]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMoreover, this paper found that environmental cognition, including recreational value and social relations, can indirectly affect environmental responsibility behavior through place attachment. Place attachment serves as a mediator between recreational services and environmental responsibility behavior. In this case, the banyan tree space’s recreational services provide a place for residents of various age groups to connect with nature and relax. Residents walk, exercise, and rest under the banyan trees, developing a reliance on their recreational function. Over time, this builds an emotional connection to the banyan tree space. Residents also become more concerned with the condition of the banyan trees, which ultimately leads to environmental responsibility behavior—namely, the responsibility and willingness to protect urban greenery.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn the other hand, place attachment plays a mediating role between social relations and environmental responsibility behavior. Place attachment is not only a natural extension of social relationships but also an important link that motivates residents to protect urban greenery. This is because neighbors frequently gather in the banyan tree space, making it an indispensable social venue in their daily lives. Over time, stable social relationships between neighbors endow the space with special significance, deepening residents' attachment to the banyan tree space. Therefore, when the banyan tree faces changes or threats, residents, due to their strong emotional connection, engage in collective protective behavior.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"5. Discussion and Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis paper, using the banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as a case study, explores the relationship between the cultural ecosystem services of urban greenery and place attachment within the framework of factors influencing urban residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behavior. The goal is to propose strategies that promote the construction of urban ecological environments and enhance the quality of life for urban residents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCurrently, China is at a critical stage in advancing the construction of eco-cities. Urban residents, as key participants in urban ecological protection and development, play an essential role in shaping and influencing environmental responsibility behaviors. Therefore, the formation and influencing factors of these behaviors warrant significant attention. Based on the \u0026quot;Cognition-Attitude-Behavior\u0026quot; theoretical paradigm, this paper proposes and verifies the relationships between environmental cognition, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior in urban greenery.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e5.1 Discussion\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5.1.1 Theoretical Significance\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper makes several substantial contributions to the existing body of knowledge.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1Addressing Gaps in Previous Research\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrevious studies have primarily focused on the ecological benefits of urban trees, such as their effects on the environment,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[33]\u003c/sup\u003e leisure and entertainment,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[34,35]\u003c/sup\u003e and cultural symbolism.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[36]\u003c/sup\u003e These studies typically emphasize the environmental value provided by urban tree spaces. This paper, however, explores the relationship between the environmental value of urban tree spaces and residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors. It synthesizes the factors influencing residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility, analyzing the relationships between ecological value, social relationships, and environmental responsibility behavior. This approach offers some innovative insights and theoretical value.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2Confirming the Role of Current Research\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper elucidates how environmental cognition of urban tree spaces influences residents\u0026apos; place attachment. It clarifies the roles of social relationships and entertainment services in fostering place attachment. This conclusion aligns with the current body of research indicating that place attachment is jointly influenced by both the material characteristics of the environment and social relationships. \u003csup\u003e[46]\u003c/sup\u003e。\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3Establishing a New Framework\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper introduces the theory of place attachment into the theoretical framework of environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behavior. It demonstrates that residents\u0026apos; environmental cognition of urban tree spaces can indirectly influence their environmental responsibility behaviors through place attachment. Consequently, when studying the factors that influence residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility, it is essential to consider both ecological environmental factors and emotional factors. This provides valuable insights for urban greening decisions, particularly in urban tree planting and planning. It also holds practical significance for promoting sustainable urban greening and reinforcing residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4Contradictions with Existing Research\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper also found no significant correlations between ecological value, cultural value, place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior in the context of ecosystem cultural services. These findings contradict previous research conclusions. \u003csup\u003e[34, 53]\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/sup\u003e\u003csup\u003e[37]\u003c/sup\u003e A potential explanation for this discrepancy could be the cultural and value differences among various resident groups, which significantly influence their perception of the cultural value of urban greening.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[54]\u003c/sup\u003e Moreover, the impact of the recent pandemic may have shifted residents\u0026apos; focus, as they were more interested in outdoor activities for entertainment and socializing, rather than considering the ecological and cultural values of urban greenery.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e5.1.2 Practical Significance\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper provides important practical insights for the management of urban tree spaces in urban greening efforts.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1Developing Dimensions for Urban Tree Value Perception\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe paper identifies dimensions of urban tree value perception, including ecological value, entertainment value, cultural value, and social relationships. This segmentation helps to gain a more comprehensive understanding of urban residents\u0026apos; perceptions and attitudes toward green spaces.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[38]\u003c/sup\u003e Future urban planning should take into account the diversity of residents\u0026apos; perceptions of urban greening to optimize the natural experiences of city dwellers,\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[39]\u003c/sup\u003e ensuring that urban greening initiatives enhance the quality of life for residents through a varied and inclusive approach.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[40]\u003c/sup\u003e。\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2Urban Greening as a Social and Recreational Space\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUrban greening provides unique natural spaces for social gathering in congested cities, fostering social interaction.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[41]\u003c/sup\u003e These spaces also help residents build a collective environmental consciousness through social relationships. In future urban management, it is essential to respect and utilize these social connections to encourage residents to take responsibility for environmental protection. Additionally, urban greening serves as an important space for leisure and the appreciation of nature.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[42]\u003c/sup\u003e Tree spaces can provide a sense of fulfillment for urban residents and instill a sense of mission for environmental protection.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[35]\u003c/sup\u003e Consequently, urban development should prioritize the ecological value of urban greening from residents\u0026apos; perspectives, creating green spaces that offer both leisure and entertainment functions, thereby constructing an eco-friendly, socially cohesive urban environment that enhances residents\u0026apos; environmental awareness.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3Emphasizing Residents\u0026apos; Emotional Connection to Urban Greening\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUrban greening contributes to an environment that promotes joy and relaxation. Social interactions are more abundant in these spaces, forming residents\u0026apos; emotional attachment to the environment.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[43]\u003c/sup\u003e These emotional connections can significantly influence their decision-making and behaviors.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[44]\u003c/sup\u003e Therefore, urban development should deeply consider the close relationship between nature and residents\u0026apos; emotions, ensuring that urban growth aligns with the natural environment to achieve harmonious coexistence between the two.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e4Balancing \u0026ldquo;Quantity\u0026rdquo; and \u0026ldquo;Quality\u0026rdquo; in Urban Greening Planning\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUrban greening planning should aim for a synergistic improvement of both \u0026quot;quantity\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;quality.\u0026quot; \u0026quot;Quantity\u0026quot; focuses on preserving urban green resources and ensuring that residents have adequate access to tree spaces for activities. \u0026quot;Quality\u0026quot; emphasizes the multifunctionality of green spaces. By creating spaces that facilitate both neighborhood interactions and leisure activities, urban tree spaces can maximize their natural benefits, enhancing the appeal of urban greening. With the combined effects of both \u0026quot;quantity\u0026quot; and \u0026quot;quality,\u0026quot; residents\u0026apos; sense of place attachment to urban greening will increase, inspiring them to respect nature and actively engage in the protection of green spaces. This approach will expedite the goal of achieving a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Furthermore, the government should explore collaborative management models for urban greening, encouraging citizen participation in urban greening efforts. Public awareness campaigns can improve residents\u0026apos; attention to and satisfaction with urban greening, fostering a culture of \u0026quot;greening, protecting, and maintaining\u0026quot; that contributes to creating a more livable and sustainable urban environment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e5.2 Conclusion\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper, focusing on 59 banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou, analyzed the influence of environmental cognition, residents\u0026apos; place attachment, and environmental responsibility behavior. The following conclusions were drawn:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1Significant Influence of Ecological Value and Social Relationships on Environmental Responsibility:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn terms of environmental cognition, both ecological value and social relationships have a significant positive impact on residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors. However, entertainment value and cultural value do not have a significant impact on environmental responsibility behavior. This suggests that the motivation for protecting banyan trees is primarily influenced by the social relationships between neighbors and the ecological functions provided by the trees. Social relationships enhance group awareness of protection, while ecological value increases residents\u0026apos; reliance on the trees. Both factors work together to promote the formation of environmental responsibility behavior among residents.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e2Environmental Cognition and Its Impact on Place Attachment:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe social relationships and entertainment value indicators in environmental cognition have a positive impact on place attachment, while ecological value and cultural value do not show significant correlations with place attachment. Place attachment consists of two dimensions: place dependence and place identity.\u0026nbsp;\u003csup\u003e[32]\u003c/sup\u003e Guangzhou\u0026apos;s banyan trees have gradually formed residents\u0026apos; dependence by providing spaces for proximity to nature and relaxation. At the same time, the trees foster a social environment that strengthens neighborhood relationships. This is a key factor in enhancing residents\u0026apos; sense of belonging and identity. Therefore, this paper confirms that urban greening not only serves as a vehicle for residents\u0026apos; place attachment but that the environmental value it provides also significantly influences residents\u0026apos; place attachment.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e3Mediating Role of Place Attachment in the Relationship Between Environmental Cognition and Environmental Responsibility:\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace attachment mediates the relationship between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behavior. Specifically, the indicators of social relationships and entertainment services in environmental cognition can indirectly influence environmental responsibility behavior through place attachment. Therefore, focusing on residents\u0026apos; environmental cognition, understanding their place attachment to urban greening, and optimizing their environmental responsibility behaviors are crucial for promoting sustainable urban development.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e5.3 Limitation\u003c/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis paper analyzes the mechanisms behind Guangzhou residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors using banyan tree spaces as a case study. However, whether the findings can be generalized to other regions or types of urban greening requires further verification. Additionally, due to data limitations, the paper did not conduct an in-depth analysis of other potential influencing factors on residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors in banyan tree spaces, nor did it explore differences in environmental responsibility behaviors across different resident groups with varying characteristics. Future research could integrate qualitative and quantitative methods to conduct more comprehensive studies on the characteristics and mechanisms of residents\u0026apos; environmental responsibility behaviors in urban greening.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Declarations","content":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAcknowledgement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe thank all the reviewers for their insightful comments on the version of this manuscript.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEthical Statement\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWritten confirmation from the relevant ethics committee that the accordance and the written informed consent statement approval was not requiring approval (Supplementary material):\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAccording to the regulations of the Ethics Committee of Nanfang College Guangzhou , ethical approval was not required for this type of survey research. Participation in the survey was entirely voluntary, not involving the elderly and children. All responses were collected anonymously, and no personally identifiable information was obtained. The data were used solely for academic research purposes and were stored securely to ensure confidentiality.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunding\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare that no financial support was received for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDeclaration of competing interest\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest for the research, authorship, and publication of this article.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAuthorship contribution statement\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYifei Ouyang:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing \u0026ndash; original draft, Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Visualization, Validation, Supervision, Project administration, Formal analysis, Conceptualization，Data curation, Methodology, Software.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeiyang Lai:\u0026nbsp;\u003c/strong\u003eWriting \u0026ndash; original draft, Visualization, Project administration, Formal analysis, Conceptualization, Methodology, Software.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eXiaohe Bai:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Visualization, Project administration, Conceptualization, Methodology.\u0026nbsp;\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeiqi Chu:\u003c/strong\u003e Writing \u0026ndash; review \u0026amp; editing, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition, Conceptualization.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eData availability\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe relevant data is included in the supplementary material.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eNilsson, K., \u0026Aring;kerlund, U., Konijnendijk, C. 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Seeing the trees for the (urban) forest: More-than-human geographies and urban greening. \u003cem\u003eAustralian Geographer\u003c/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003e51\u003c/em\u003e(2), 155\u0026ndash;168. https://doi.org/10.1080/00049182.2018.1505285\u003c/li\u003e\n\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":false,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Ecological urban construction, Place attachment, Environmental cognition, Social relationships, Recreational value","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7381328/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7381328/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eEnvironmental responsibility behaviors of urban residents play an indispensable role in the construction of ecological cities. However, previous studies have not established a causal relationship between environmental responsibility behaviors and urban tree space protection, nor have they recognized the mediating effect of place attachment. This paper takes the typical banyan tree spaces in Guangzhou as a case. Through structural equation modeling, it investigates the impact of urban residents' environmental cognition and place attachment on their environmental responsibility behaviors. The results show that: (1) Environmental responsibility behaviors are positively influenced by the ecological value and social relationships dimensions of environmental cognition. (2) Social relationships and recreational value in residents' environmental cognition positively affect place attachment. (3) Place attachment mediates the relationship between environmental cognition and environmental responsibility behaviors. The paper aims to provide theoretical guidance for sustainable urban ecological construction by exploring the influencing factors of urban residents' environmental responsibility behaviors.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"How the Cognition and Emotion of Urban Residents Toward City Trees Evoke Environmental Responsibility: A Case Study of the Banyan Tree Spaces in Guangzhou, China","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-04 10:49:04","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7381328/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"8b7f0207-ceee-4cb0-959e-4f417ceade37","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 4th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":58932224,"name":"Biological sciences/Ecology"},{"id":58932225,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Ecology"},{"id":58932226,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental sciences"},{"id":58932227,"name":"Earth and environmental sciences/Environmental social sciences"},{"id":58932228,"name":"Social science/Environmental studies"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2026-03-06T12:26:45+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-04 10:49:04","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7381328","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7381328","identity":"rs-7381328","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}