Responsible Urban Tourism as a Tool of Natural and Cultural Heritage Protection: Poznań (Poland) Orchids’ Case

Abstract

Nowadays, the public needs to be made more aware of the benefits of sustainability for the local environment. It appears that tourism is a particularly effective tool for teaching sustainability and responsibility because it not only provides new experiences but also explains and enhances the visited area. Visitors should become more conscious of the need to preserve the ecosystem as a result of this remarkable experience, which is caused by skillfully planned activities. The authors of this study discuss the effects of tourism in the natural enclave of Poznań (Poland) while presenting the findings of interdisciplinary studies on locally threatened orchid species. The number and condition of individual orchids have not changed significantly as a result of rather strong anthropopressure, according to observations made since 1997. The study area is an ideal place to enhance environmental education and responsible tourism because it is also rich in historical values. Such tourism can be considered responsible urban tourism. According to the questionnaire study, which was based on 1000 surveys, respondents expressed a developing emotional attachment to the area and commended the educational pathways and changes in land use. They also acknowledged that they did not know enough about the location, the environment, or the cultural legacy. The current study demonstrates that, while society has grown to value the Kopanina wilderness, it has also begun to consider nature conservation from a wider perspective.

1. Introduction

Naturalists and others involved in environmental protection have long debated how to protect nature from excessive human interest while also encouraging people to have positive feelings toward wildlife and to adopt appropriate attitudes. Wisely planned and organized nature-based tourism, aligned with the trend of responsible and sustainable tourism, may serve as a valuable tool to support such activities. This can take place both in areas of outstanding natural values and in transformed areas, such as urban ones. Since it requires minimal effort from participants—walking, making quick visits, etc.—the latter option is particularly beneficial for environmental education and fostering a broader understanding of sustainable development.

Concerning orchid populations, a deft fusion of conservation, education, and responsible nature-based tourism is also feasible. Interpretation is crucial, and geographical space should be shown as a living and collaborative construct [1]. Touristic educational pathways are a wonderful example of interpretation since they allow for both leisure and education while offering guests a variety of experiences. Additionally, they offer a chance for participants to integrate with nature, comprehend the relationship between humans and nature, and develop a comprehensive and fully conscious understanding of the world and its processes [2].

For a long time, both the number of orchid sites and the size of their populations have been steadily declining in Wielkopolska Province (western Poland) [3] and throughout Europe (e.g., [4,5,6,7,8]). Within the current administrative boundaries of Poznań (the capital region), 15 orchid species have been identified thus far. Nevertheless, up to seven species of this plant group have entirely vanished from the city’s flora, and the remaining species have lost a sizable portion of their native habitats [9]. The biocenosis requirements of the species of the Orchidaceae family are linked to the regression in their ranges. The least altered vegetation in Poznań is home to orchids, which flourish in the remnants of bogs, moist meadows, and woodlands. Unfortunately, increasing anthropopressure has been applied to these locations. Orchid species that are regarded as common throughout Poland, such as Dactylorhiza incarnata (L.) Soó and Epipactis palustris (L.) Crantz, are also affected by the phenomenon of local regression [10]. Due to their rarity in Wielkopolska Province, both species are listed on a local “red list” [11]. In Poznań city, 14 sites of D. incarnata and 18 sites of E. palustris have been recorded, according to Jackowiak [9], but only 9 of the former and 10 of the latter have survived to the present day.

This article aimed to show how responsible urban tourism can simultaneously provide a valuable experience for visitors and ensure the protection of local natural and cultural resources and values. This study focused on the evolution of two orchid populations in Poznań over the past 27 years: Epipactis palustris and Dactylorhiza incarnata. In the context of education for sustainable development, the authors examined the potential applications of these in a responsible nature-based tourist and educational manner. Both of the aforementioned orchid species are among the most remarkable plants in Polish flora and have the potential to attract tourists. They can withstand modest human pressure due to their ecological needs, particularly photophilic needs, but they regress when nearby plant species develop too quickly. As a result, a major issue is the combination of appropriately proactive site protection and educating visitors about the importance of orchid species to the environment. A solution for responsible nature tourism that can aid in the preservation of orchid species and their habitats is put forth, drawing from extensive field observations of orchids. The following assumptions are determined in this work:

• Responsible urban tourism ensures the protection of local natural and cultural resources and values while offering tourists a worthwhile experience.
• Poznań’s orchid populations continue to decline. Changes in plant environments and the cessation of all efforts to preserve orchid sites are the causes.
• The present research area containing orchid sites has been under severe unchecked anthropopressure. In addition to altering the population structure and specimen viability, it results in a regression of plant ranges.
• Focusing tourist traffic in only one given part of the studied area, already strongly used, and acting in accordance with the idea of responsible tourism could possibly increase the protection of this valuable plant vegetation of orchid species.
• The protection of this valuable plant vegetation of orchid species may be increased by concentrating tourist traffic in a single heavily used area of the investigated area, working in accordance with the concept of responsible tourism.
• The educational paths, or other means of educating visitors about the natural value of orchid species, would allow for better protection than was previously possible. It is also a good opportunity for local-scale education regarding sustainable development. Additionally, it is an excellent chance for sustainable development education at the local level.

2. The Literature Review

2.1. Sustainability in Tourism: A Brief Overview

The value and significance of tourism can be interpreted from various perspectives due to its complexity, including psychological, sociological, environmental, and economic factors, all of which, like psychological factors, are the foundations of sustainability. Butler [12] wrote one of the earliest articles on sustainable tourism in 1999, providing a general summary of the terms used at the time. In addition to reviewing the concepts and challenges of implementing sustainability in tourism, Hardy and colleagues [13] developed a model for assessing the development of the idea in 2002. To develop another framework and assess the current state, issues, and challenges related to sustainability in tourism, Zolfani and colleagues [14] examined 132 academic papers from 47 journals between 1993 and 2013, divided into 14 application areas. As a result, it is impossible to enumerate every idea and viewpoint regarding sustainable tourism; however, it is unquestionably the only path that tourism might take. According to Lu and Nepal [15], one significant aspect of the idea of sustainability is that different people, stakeholders, and societal groups have diverse definitions, interpretations, and applications of it. Naturally, the concept has also been criticized over time by academics and professionals (e.g., [16,17,18]), and it is frequently misinterpreted. The World Tourism Organization currently defines sustainable tourism as travel that fully considers its present and future economic, social, and environmental impacts while addressing the needs of tourists, the travel industry, the environment, and host communities [19]. Its main concept is ecotourism, which is defined as responsible tourism in natural areas that preserves the environment and improves the well-being of local people (www.ecotourism.org/what-is-ecotourism, accessed on 30 September 2024). Additionally, ecotourism is seen as a unique form of alternative tourism that is strongly linked to areas that are culturally and environmentally vulnerable [20]. It is often noted that the educational components of ecotourism are more prominent and improve the well-being of local people than those of generally accepted sustainable tourism (e.g., [21]). There exists urban ecotourism and a related concept called urban responsible tourism, but, by definition, it should occur in natural areas.

The development of sustainable tourism is linked to sustainable community development, which is a long-term process of local empowerment that enhances people’s capacity to manage their own lives and the environment in which they live [22]. A key component of local development is an engaged community that understands the concepts of sustainable development and seeks to implement them. For this reason, the local government should support all health, environmental, and educational programs.

2.2. Responsible Urban Tourism

The concept of responsible tourism refers to travel practices that prioritize four crucial aspects: minimizing the impact of tourism on the environment, respecting cultural diversity, involving local communities more in tourism-related activities, and ultimately boosting visitor satisfaction (among other things [23,24]).

Derived from the concept of sustainable development, “which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” [25], it has been promoted to tourism businesses as being easier to understand than the broader idea of sustainable tourism [13,26,27]. Because they are founded on three primary pillars—environmental, sociocultural, and economic—both also support environmental protection and the welfare of nearby communities [28]. Ecotourism is the foundation of sustainable tourism, and it should incorporate interpretation and education for both employees and visitors [29,30,31]. Additionally, it should be noted that the idea of sustainable tourism in general, with ecotourism at its center, has been widely criticized (e.g., [12,16]).

One of the biggest challenges facing scientists, environmentalists, and responsible tourism practitioners is cultivating a sense of responsibility for the natural and cultural values of the environment [32]. The relatively new term “responsible” tourism, which combines the principals of sustainable and responsible tourism, has emerged from these views and discussions among academics and practitioners [33].

Nature-based tourism is possible anywhere and under any regulations. Tourists are drawn to abiotic (geotourism) and biotic nature (e.g., flora and fauna tourism). Neither the visitor nor the local community is required to participate in the practice. Nonetheless, this type of tourism should adhere to the principles of sustainable tourism and has the potential to establish certain standards of behavior regarding the natural resources utilized in its execution. If nature tourism follows ecotourism guidelines and tourism methods and occurs in wilder and more natural areas, it can also be considered ecotourism [32,34].

Cultural tourism cannot be overlooked, because, as can be observed when examining the definition of ecotourism, the focus on a destination’s culture is highlighted. Since most tourists have a similar level of interest in the specific object or culture they are exploring (the more the better), cultural tourism is both similar to and different from nature-based tourism. The topic is the only thing that separates the two. Therefore, cultural tourism is a type of travel where “culture is the sole or dominant motive” [35]. It encompasses all forms of travel driven by the desire to engage with culture in all its facets [36].

Following Buczkowska’s classification [35], contemporary cultural tourism is included in cultural tourism, and, within this category, urban tourism can be distinguished. In its unique form, sustainable urban tourism preserves the potential for future growth while balancing the demands of visitors and city residents.

An expanded definition of sustainable urban tourism also considers the preservation of social, cultural, and natural heritage. This includes educating visitors, promoting the importance of the social and cultural environment, and developing solutions that both improve the visitor experience and safeguard the destination’s resources. Sustainable urban tourism is defined as tourism that does not negatively impact the city’s natural environment or cultural assets while primarily benefiting the local people [37].

Even sustainable and responsible tourism might have unforeseen detrimental impacts on ecosystems. Those who work in conservation frequently view it as harmful. This is often the case, and, even worse, some ecotourism-related events—particularly those involving adventure tourism—have harmed the environment more than mass tourism because they encourage visitors to enter extremely sensitive ecosystems or draw undue attention to the rarest and most valuable species. However, it can be challenging to stop some people from cutting wildflowers, like orchids. According to Ballantyne and Pickering [38], tourism and recreation often pose a threat to European vascular plants that are classified in the IUCN red list. Similar findings about the Cypripedium calceolus population (Orchidaceae) in the Adamello-Brenta Natural Park (Trentino, North Italy) are reported by Perazza and Decarli [4]. According to Bazzicalupo and colleagues [39], certain orchid sites have been destroyed because of the plants’ therapeutic usefulness in traditional medicine. Ballantyne and Pickering [40] have conducted a thorough analysis of the problem of ecotourism’s detrimental effects on orchids in Australia. They contend that orchids have a significant but little-known role in volunteer tourism and nature-based tourism, which is sometimes confused with ecotourism. This includes suggested trips, which are frequently organized by orchid societies and attract orchid enthusiasts and collectors. Despite being promoted as “eco”, these gatherings draw large crowds of people who frequently not only appreciate these unusual and wildflowers but also gather them and unintentionally damage their habitats.

However, by involving visitors in conservation efforts or scientific studies, tourism often provides a great opportunity to engage them with conservation issues. Carlsen and colleagues [41] provide an intriguing example of how visitors can contribute to whale shark conservation. Tourists involved in such projects start to feel more responsible for nature due to the special and unique, even personal, bond.

To summarize the theoretical considerations above, it can be argued that nature-based tourism and cultural tourism are perfect tools for active nature conservation. However, they require careful planning, responsibility, and dedication. Nature conservation must be given top priority, and all parties involved—organizers, local communities, and tourists—must adhere to sustainable tourism guidelines. Otherwise, many plant and animal species and their habitats are seriously threatened by nature-based tourism and cultural tourism.

3. The Study Area

Poznań is the capital of the Wielkopolska region in western Poland. It is the fifth most populous city and the eighth largest city in the country [42]). Situated on the Warta River and its two tributaries, the Bogdanka and Cybina, it features a wedge–ring system of urban green spaces. This system is supplemented by three rings of parks and gardens within the city area. Approximately 27% of Poznań consists of all green spaces, both manmade and natural [43,44].

The so-called “Kopanina” is a 126-hectare natural enclave in the southwest of Poznań that is home to a wide diversity of habitats (Figure 1). Following the termination of the loam and clay extraction, secondary succession primarily produced this intriguing natural region. There are 40 ponds of varying sizes as a result of intense human activity, which has caused flooded excavations separated by dikes—previous roadways used to transport raw materials [45,46,47]. In such conditions, an enclave of natural swampy water ecosystems has developed due to secondary succession. A mosaic of vegetation, including rushes, meadows, carpet plants, blackthorn and willow thickets, and fragments of riparian forests, makes up the local vegetation [48]. Nonetheless, there has been extensive deterioration of the “Kopanina” ecosystems [49]. Rush vegetation and marsh meadows are reasonably well grown, although the most natural and semi-natural plant communities have been totally eliminated. Since local residents have been using this area of Poznań as a recreation area for years, the vegetation is subject to intense and uncontrolled anthropogenic pressure.

Almost annually, the meadows of “Kopanina” are subjected to spring fires. Trampling all potential transitions as places to go for walking or biking poses another danger to the surrounding vegetation. Littering in this area is a severe issue that needs to be addressed immediately. Additionally, fisherman damage the edges of the ponds. Orchid populations, which are primarily found growing close to the banks of the largest pond, are adversely affected by all of these human activities [3,50].

To highlight the other fascinating features of the Kopanina area related to the widely acknowledged cultural and natural significance, none of the stops specifically point out the orchid spots. The choice of the paths’ subjects was influenced by the interest of many young people in this region’s cultural tourism and geotourism. From the late 18th century until the start of the Second World War, these Poznań suburbs were a multicultural and multiethnic area. Poles, Jews, and Germans owned the brickworks that were in operation at the time [51]. This location now appears on Poznan’s cultural map. Events, including concerts, outdoor movie screenings, and workshops, are planned here (e.g., [52]). Scientific research has also been conducted on the local fauna and flora [53].

4. Methods of Investigations

The current original research presented here covers two distinct fields: orchid population studies and the effects of sustainable tourism on natural ecosystems and society (Figure 2).

4.1. Social Research

Questionnaire surveys of the local population, residents of residential areas close to the research area, and visitors were conducted in 2014. Floristic observations and concern for preserving this old ecological function have prompted further research. One of the study’s objectives was to gather feedback on suggested educational pathways. Pro-environmental attitudes and basic knowledge of the local flora and fauna were also examined. A random sample of one thousand participants was selected. The first section of the questionnaire contained 19 questions, 14 of which were closed-ended and 5 of which were open-ended. Most questions assessed the respondents’ knowledge of the local area and Polish nature protection. Due to the area’s remote location and lack of tourist amenities, the survey also aimed to determine the purpose of the visit, the respondents’ attitudes toward environmental education, and their sense of safety while exploring the area. The respondents’ characteristics were directly related to the other four questions.

To gather opinions on recently developed tourism educational pathways and current attitude toward the analyzed area, a series of studies was carried out in 2019 on a random sample of 1000 respondents. The questionnaire was nearly the same, with 15 items (12 closed, 3 open) and 4 related to visitor characteristics.

Only a portion of both results related to the main issue will be discussed in this paper.

4.2. Research of Orchid Populations—Dactylorhiza Incarnata and Epipactis Palustris—Near Baczkowski Pond

Observations of the D. incarnata population (Figure 1) were conducted from 1997 to 2024 within a former ecological use “Kopanina”, covering an area of about 800 m². Changes in the local range and population structure of this species were observed. The number of ramets was determined each year, along with the proportion of specimens in flower and vegetative stage, including juvenile ones. Additionally, the lengths of 30 stems were measured, and the number of flowers per inflorescence was counted.

From 2005 to 2024, the E. palustris population (Figure 1) was observed. For this species, changes in local range and population composition were also noted. Field studies were conducted over an area of 4400 m². Eleven squares, each with a 20 m side, were created from the land. The number of ramets in each plot was tallied, along with the population density. Additionally, 30 randomly chosen specimens had their stem and inflorescence lengths measured, and the number of flowers per inflorescence was counted.

The following basic statistical features of the investigated traits were calculated for at least 30 individuals: variance, standard deviation, median, arithmetic mean, lowest and maximum values, and variation coefficient in each study year. The nomenclature of plant species was based on Mirek and colleagues [54], while Brzeg and Wojterska [55] provided the nomenclature of plant communities.

5. Results

5.1. Social Research

5.1.1. Respondents’ Characteristic

The respondents in both studies were demographically balanced with regard to gender, although there were slightly more men than women (54% in 2014 and 56% in 2019; Figure 3). Given that women made up the majority, this was inconsistent with Poland’s male to female ratio. The high number of anglers may have slightly skewed the statistics. Nearly one-fifth of the respondents were middle-aged, between 36 and 50 years old, and over one-third were young adults, between 25 and 35 years old. Age ranges were selected to represent various life and educational stages. A comparable scenario was retained in the second sample.

According to an analysis of the respondents’ educational backgrounds, the majority had secondary education (38% and 34%, respectively; Figure 4) and higher education (35% and 42%). Every respondent lived either close to the area under investigation or in nearby housing developments and communities.

5.1.2. Respondents’ Opinions About the Area, Nature Protection, and Ecological Education

The majority of responders (76%) in 2014 were unaware that the region of “Kopanina” had previously been protected as an ecological use, one of Poland’s methods of environmental protection. Only 2% of respondents correctly identified the type of nature protection. The location under investigation was also very appealing to the same group of respondents, mostly due to its tranquility, “wild” aspect, abundance of ponds, and clean air. The site’s proximity to residential areas and varied surface features, which allow for a variety of activities, surely contributed to the impression that this location was quite appealing. According to an analysis of the activities by gender and age, all groups preferred being mobile. Only a small percentage of respondents, mostly women over 35, reported engaging in Nordic walking. Overall, walking accounted for 74% of responses, cycling for 35%, running for 16%, and fishing for 28% (Figure 5).

Even though the area was off the usual route and swimming in unsecured clay pits might be hazardous to one’s health and life, more than half of the respondents (58%) thought it was safe. The largest issues, as reported by the respondents, were a lack of benches (24%), poor path quality (25%), and neglect and littering of the area (51%). As a result, suggestions to improve the current situation included the need for more rubbish bins (21%), organizing the beach and swimming area (19%), and improving the conditions for walking, running, and other activities. It was intriguing to see that nearly 25% of respondents favored keeping the “Kopanina” region in a “wild” state, much like the natural condition. Furthermore, 16% recommended prohibiting admission. The fact that 85% of people who visited the site for the first time said they would return validated the area’s appeal.

More than half of the respondents (67%) had experienced environmental education and thought this area of social life was important enough to be promoted. Of those who had never heard of this concept (33%), 40% thought the question was extremely significant. This suggests that they would follow predetermined educational routes in the “Kopanina” area. The least interested respondents in environmental education were those over 50.

The planned educational paths were directly mentioned in the questions. The majority of respondents (85%) expressed interest in the topic, with 60% expressing a firm opinion. When asked what they would like to see on the educational boards, respondents gave their opinions. In general, they were primarily drawn to the local fauna (86%) and history of the area (84%; Figure 6). When data were analyzed by respondents’ age and educational attainment, it was found that older respondents found fauna to be primarily intriguing, while younger respondents were unquestionably far more interested in local history. As a result, interest in protecting the environment increased with age. Similar patterns were noted based on respondents’ educational attainment.

The establishment of educational pathways enhanced visitors’ awareness of the Kopanina area, according to the findings of a second research conducted in 2019. In general, they valued the concept of educational pathways (86%) and their implementation (77%). Respondents also acknowledged that they were somewhat (34%) and extremely (47%) satisfied with the amount of information displayed on the boards. Regrettably, a significant percentage of them (19%) admitted to not reading the boards and stated that they do not care about this source of information. This was typically the case for the youngest respondents (30%), those in the 25–35 age bracket (27%), and the oldest respondents (35%). However, visitors, particularly women (74%), noticed improvements in the area’s overall appearance, safety, and cleanliness (92% overall, 53% definitely improved, 39% somewhat improved). The fact that 79% more people visited the place after the educational pathways were installed, and that people’s attitudes toward nature improved, was incredibly encouraging. Additionally, they developed a closer bond with their location. The responses matched the level of education. The most significant finding was that respondents reported feeling more accountable for the environment (27%) and nature in general (36%). Twenty-four percent of them, particularly those who were well educated and between the ages of 35 and 50, began to understand what sustainable development meant on a local level. Additionally, they expressed how being in touch with nature improved their personal quality of life (47% overall, 32% certainly, 15% somewhat), particularly in the Kopanina area (37%). The age distribution and educational attainment of the respondents in 2019 were comparable to those found in earlier research (Figure 3 and Figure 4); however, the types of physical exercise have evolved (Figure 5).

5.2. Population Research of Orchids

Depending on the year of observation, the population size of D. incarnata varied. The highest number of specimens (433) was recorded in 2003, while the lowest number (4) was recorded in 2009. However, the orchid population experienced an annual period of rest in 2004 and 2019, during which no individuals were found. This was most likely due to the abundance of ramets that were in blossom during the previous growing season. In 2008, the highest number of juvenile specimens was observed. The average stem and inflorescence lengths were 36 cm (10–71 cm) and 6.2 cm (1.5–15.0 cm), respectively. Typically, 21 flowers were found in a single inflorescence (5–57). The variability ranges of the examined features were comparable depending on the year of observation. The most varied feature was the number of flowers per inflorescence. The plants were dispersed in small clusters of two-to-eight stems. The Caricetum paniculatae association (-Magnocaricion alliance) included orchids, with the notable participation of plant species belonging to the Molinio-Arrhenatheratea and Phragmitetea communis classes. A small area along the northern side of the Baczkowski pond was inhabited by a population of D. incarnata. Nearly all orchids thrived at the pond’s edge, where the soil was consistently moist.

The population size of E. palustris varied from 1120 in 2022 to 4759 ramets in 2012. In 2013, the greatest number of juvenile individuals (2035 ramets) was observed. Although the distribution of orchids was erratic, the average population density of E. palustris was roughly one plant per square meter. While the percentage of plants in the other plots ranged from 21% to barely 0.1% (with single plants alone), the highest number of individuals was consistently observed in the same single plot, with a maximum density of five plants per square meter in 2005 (a 43% involvement of orchid in the overall population). In 2016, the tallest plants were recorded. The inflorescence, which typically had 21 flowers (9–43), was 18.1 cm (7.0–31.0 cm) long, while the stems were 63.5 cm (35.0–105.5 cm) long on average. Of all the traits examined, 2016 showed the most variability. The number of flowers was the least consistent, while the stem length had the lowest variation coefficient value. E. palustris was most frequently found in rush vegetation belonging to the Phragmitetea class, which includes the phytocenosis of Caricetum acutiformis. The orchid population also grew in drier sites, with the significant participation of meadow species from the Molinio-Arrhenatheretea class and sometimes among shrubby species related to the Alnetea-glutinosae and Salicetea purpureae classes.

5.3. The Societal Benefits of the Current Study

Local residents developed a strong interest in this area as a result of research conducted by scientists with various expertise, including our 27-year observations of the orchid population and tourism-related activity. To establish “Kopanina” as a natural refuge within the city, they petitioned the housing estate council. This request was sent to the municipal council by the school councilors and was approved by the authorities. Trash in the neighborhood began to be removed. A viewing tower was constructed, chairs and trash cans were positioned, and pathways were created to prepare the area for tourists and recreation. Additionally, funds were allocated for future tourists’ education.

In 2017, one of the authors of this work created two educational pathways in the area of the orchid locations: a natural one with eight information boards and a geohistorical one with four boards (Figure 7). This was an attempt to organize tourism in this region, which has been completely out of control and was endangering the natural resources of “Kopanina”, including the orchid species.

An application to the city president to re-grant “Kopanina” legal protection with the status of ecological use was made following the publication of a monograph on this location in 2023 [53]. The law states that no industrial plants or multifamily housing units may be constructed there. The process is still in progress.

Local communities in Poland and elsewhere might draw inspiration from the case study presented in this article on how to utilize and, most importantly, protect natural enclaves in their towns.

6. Discussion

The outcomes of other studies addressing this topic do not substantially differ from the results found in terms of local nature, its conservation, and environmental awareness. For instance, in Ziółkowski’s study [56], only 20% of respondents from the Podlasie Province in eastern Poland cited natural values as the primary motivation for visiting a particular location; instead, active vacations were more frequently cited. Furthermore, only 25% of respondents thought that local nature was the most significant attraction, and 47% of respondents could not recall any distinctive (natural or cultural) objects. Over 50% of those surveyed had no feelings other than sympathy for nature. This sentiment reflected a general regard for the environment rather than a result of special treatment of wildlife. However, 60% of the same respondents said they would recommend the visited places based only on their natural surroundings. Similar findings were made in Kolasińska’s research [57], which was conducted in southern Poland’s Pieniny National Park. Nearly all respondents agreed that protecting nature and developing protected areas are essential. According to 75% of them, the best way to lessen the adverse effects of tourism on the environment is through education. Respondents also supported leaving trails and justified it for a variety of minor reasons (such as taking photos, avoiding dirt, or resting).

Similarly, studies conducted in the landscape parks of the Wielkopolska Province revealed that respondents viewed nature as merely a “nice background” for unwinding [58]. In general, they valued its beauty, naturalness, and air purity, but they were unable to identify its specific components or pinpoint concrete examples of nature preservation. At the same time, the majority of those polled stated that spending leisure time in nature was essential.

However, those who visited tourist destinations in rainforest regions and engaged with the natural environment in various ways demonstrated a desire to learn from environmental and cultural information pertinent to these rainforest locations, according to the McNamara and Prideaux study [59]. According to Yavana Rani [60], tourists will be satisfied and have faith in cultural heritage tourism if they believe that their visit to a valuable cultural location exceeded their expectations. To further improve and encourage the sustainable growth of historical tourism, Buonincontri and colleagues [61] have even developed a unique framework to characterize the interaction between visitors’ experience, place attachment, and sustainable behavior.

Some botanists believe that the primary risks to orchid populations, particularly during flowering, are drastic changes in habitat conditions, specifically drainage and intense agricultural use of grasslands [7,62]. Nonetheless, there are a few counterarguments regarding the second part of this thesis. The “Kopanina” orchid distribution area was formerly used for farming. Cattle grazed there, and the area was mowed. According to locals who remember those times, there were thousands of orchids [48]. It appears that the abandonment of the agricultural use of their ecosystems may cause more harm to orchid species due to intense competition from other more expansive plants [63].

One significant factor limiting orchid development and, thus, their existence is the drying out of their habitats, which include bogs and wet meadows [64,65]. Although E. palustris and D. incarnata are still very prevalent in Poland, the number of their sites has been gradually declining [10]. Jackowiak and Celka [66] and Adamowski [67] point out that, even in urban agglomerations, it is feasible for species that are sensitive to human impact to both appear and be preserved. According to Adamowski and Conti [68], exposed spaces or disturbed soil is favorable for orchid growth. According to the current study, comparatively substantial anthropopressure did not significantly alter the population’s size or individual characteristics. However, a concerning trend to the decreasing size of the D. incarnata population was observed in a few observation years. Given that Dactyloriza species are thought to be widespread and frequently occupy habitats that have been entirely altered by humans, it is likely that the regression is unrelated to anthropogenic influences [67,69]. The natural seasonal resting of D. incarnata may be the reason for a lower population in some observation years. One significant characteristic that illustrates how living conditions have changed is the population’s capacity to alter the number of individuals [70,71]. Salguero-Gómez et al. [72] claim that the better the growing conditions for a species, the faster its individuals’ life cycles are and the more flowering plants participate. This was true of the population of D. incarnata under study, which was virtually entirely made up of flowering specimens. However, according to Vakhrameev and Tatarenko [73], the proportion of generative plants in damaged environments increases noticeably. Because of the fruits and their capacity to generate the best runners, only generative individuals are able to maintain their reproductive potential [74,75]. The size of the plant could potentially be an indicator of the condition orchid population under study. According to Weber and Kolb [76], Phyteuma spicatum’s inflorescence size increased in tandem with the species’ population size and density decreasing. The authors claim that, in low-density or small plant communities, the larger individuals are more distinctive. Plant height may also contribute to the healthy state of individuals under investigation. The predominance of average-growing plants suggests ideal site conditions for a particular population.

Falińska [77] believes that unfavorable environmental conditions can lead to the poor growth of individuals. Its persistence is demonstrated if the population is dominated by specimens of ordinary height. Another characteristic that indicates the healthy state of the studied orchid populations is the comparatively high number of blooms per stem. The current research’s findings support the hypothesis that an inflorescence’s length and flower count are inversely related.

The orchid’s propensity to colonize synanthropic settings, such as gravel and stone pits, roadside ditches, drainage systems, and even dumping grounds, has been discovered despite the decline of E. palustris populations in natural areas [78,79,80,81,82]. The orchid population growing on anthropogenic sites within the Poznań agglomeration is estimated by Wyrzykiewicz-Raszewska [83] to be as high as 100,000 individuals, with a mean density of 77 plants per m². In natural areas, such a density of orchids has not been observed. Piękoś-Mirkowa and Mirek [84] state that populations of E. palustris in natural settings typically range from a few to a few dozen specimens. Given this, it is important to note that, although there are a few thousand individuals of both orchid species present, the orchid density within the site under study is somewhat low. This finding suggests that “Kopanina” is a natural vegetation refuge.

The age structure of both orchid populations, with a clear predominance of plants in the generative phase, corresponds to the age spectrum drawn up for these species by Vakhrameeva and Tatarenko [73]. Furthermore, observed populations have been increasing on secondary, clearly anthropogenic, sites. E. palustris and D. incarnata are part of the vegetation that grew there during the secondary succession. They are, therefore, very young populations, although they are most likely genetically connected to other populations found in natural settings in different areas of Poznań and the surrounding area. This offers hope for the preservation and possibly even local growth of the orchid species under study. However, comparing these groups that live in secondary sites with those that originated in natural or semi-natural areas raises several concerns regarding the potential loss of their gene pool.

7. Conclusions

According to long-term observations, the number of orchid populations and individual conditions have not changed significantly as a result of relatively high anthropopressure, particularly trampling on orchid habitats. Furthermore, populations have been observed to flourish in habitats that are obviously anthropogenic, even of secondary character. This makes it possible to anticipate that orchid populations will survive or even expand their geographic ranges.

The preponderance of medium-sized plants and the high participation of specimens in the generative phase are indicators of the healthy state of orchid populations. The morphological variability of orchids is very significant, indicating that both species may have smaller subpopulations within local populations.

Habitat degradation, weed invasion, herbivory, illicit harvesting, and climate change are typically the biggest challenges to orchid survival. Similar to orchid species found in alpine meadows, overgrazing and habitat modification—which are strongly linked to secondary succession—are the primary crucial variables in “Kopanina”. It is important to actively prevent other more expansive plants from overgrowing the orchid locations, because D. incarnata and E. palustris are photophilous and only tolerate mild shade.

No tourist routes or even educational trails should be constructed close to these valuable tourist-attracting plant species in order to preserve them. Additionally, even if orchid positions are already present in areas that are often accessible to tourists, monitoring cameras are to be installed during orchid flowering, or the object should be observed with the assistance of suitable services, including volunteers.

According to the current study, people began to value the Kopanina natural area and began to think more broadly about nature and its preservation. Although it is still a small percentage, it gives hope that the number of visitors of that kind will rise. This particular educational path is still a useful instrument for education regarding sustainable development, even though it focuses mostly on the environmental components of sustainable development.

Some solutions for the examined area can be suggested based on the current results of floristic and social studies and taking responsible tourism presumptions into consideration. “Kopanina” should be separated into two sections. One component ought to be left in its natural state. It is important to keep valued species’ locations as far away from direct penetration as feasible. Additionally, at least a portion of “Kopanina” must be restored to conservation status. Activities within “Kopanina” should involve local nature preservation organizations. Teachers and students from nearby schools should be encouraged to use educational pathways at the same time.

Building a strong emotional connection between tourists and the area under description will improve its conservation. Because of the constant contact with the site, this may be even more true for the residents. Implementing an overall positive attitude toward this concept is a first, but crucial, step toward sustainable area development. According to the authors’ examples, pleasant encounters and a deep emotional bond between visitors and locals can help improve a place’s protection through engaging and educational tourism.

According to the currently described research on sustainable urban tourism, pursuing an educational objective in a particular location can help secure natural resources. Furthermore, a natural ecosystem may coexist peacefully with its visitors’ physical activities. The Kopanina case also shows that, regardless of their geographic location, such nature refuges can be used in other heavily urbanized locations.