Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s10531-016-1253-0
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Title (Primary) Positive sentiment and knowledge increases tolerance towards conservation actions
Author Loyau, A.; Schmeller, D.S.
Source Titel Biodiversity and Conservation
Year 2017
Department OEKOTOX; NSF
Volume 26
Issue 2
Page From 461
Page To 478
Language englisch
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10531-016-1253-0/MediaObjects/10531_2016_1253_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10531-016-1253-0/MediaObjects/10531_2016_1253_MOESM2_ESM.pdf
https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10531-016-1253-0/MediaObjects/10531_2016_1253_MOESM3_ESM.pdf
https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10531-016-1253-0/MediaObjects/10531_2016_1253_MOESM4_ESM.pdf
Keywords Policy support; Biodiversity monitoring; Prioritization; Resource allocations; Conservation efficiency; School experiment
UFZ wide themes RU1
Abstract People generally possess certain basic ideas and values towards biodiversity, influencing their personal evaluation of a conservation situation or action and their attitude towards nature and its conservation. Here, we apply knowledge on human attitudes to an interesting socio-ecological system, the case of mitigating the devastating infectious amphibian disease chytridiomycosis in the Pyrenean Mountains, a touristic region. We conducted a questionnaire survey directly in mountain areas (n = 418) and on the internet (n = 868) to investigate whether attitudes towards amphibians influenced support of five possible conservation actions. We further analyzed whether attitudes were influenced by peoples’ use of the mountains, their socio-economic backgrounds, and their general knowledge of amphibians. Our study shows that all but one conservation measure were well accepted by the public. Importantly, the restrictions people would accept were linked to the attitudes the respondents had towards amphibians and how informed they were regarding the current status of amphibians. Our study highlights the importance of ensuring sufficient education and information for the public and suggests that it is necessary to explore and discuss several conservation options with the public before implementing conservation measures that may not be perceived equally.
Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=18147
Loyau, A., Schmeller, D.S. (2017):
Positive sentiment and knowledge increases tolerance towards conservation actions
Biodivers. Conserv. 26 (2), 461 - 478 10.1007/s10531-016-1253-0