As dead as a dodo? : public understanding and support vis à vis biodiversity and biodiversity loss

The Convention on Biological Diversity and its derivative literature call for increases in public understanding and support as a condition for successful strategies to conserve biodiversity. Yet practically no relevant data exist. This research attempts to redress this situation by exploring UK public understanding and support vis-à-vis biodiversity. It employs a structured in-depth interview as the main data-gathering instrument, applying it to 126 individuals selected according to their relationships to nature and wildlife, their positions in relation to local and regional government decision-making, and their representation of different occupationally-based social classes. The findings, if representative of the wider population, suggest that the public’s understanding of biodiversity is poor, its levels of participation in efforts to conserve it are low, that attitudes towards biodiversity per se are largely non-existent, but that there is a considerable amount of interest in wildlife and nature. In looking at ways in which biodiversity education might be developed, consideration is given to the influences and debates that are likely to have greatest influence, and to the potential sources for this education. The principle obstacle to an effective biodiversity education is identified as the science/public divide, but the characteristics of biodiversity as a subject are recognised as enabling it to form a bridge between the two. Stables’ (1998) three-tier conceptualisation of literacy is adopted as part of the framework for assessing the different sources of biodiversity education, and some, notably wildlife gardening and wildlife NGO activities, are found to provide significant opportunities in this respect. Given the nature of the subject and the research findings, it is argued that a good level of literacy should be coupled with good communication skills and the ability to address the issues beyond the science base to include the social, cultural, political, moral and aesthetic aspects. It is concluded that those best qualified to provide ‘critical biodiversity literacy’ should perhaps be sought in the discipline conservation biology rather than that of environmental education. The ramifications of the research for implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity are considered. Recommendations for further research and biodiversity education are also made

Between concepts and experiences: people’s understandings of climate change in southern Ecuador

For decades, researchers have worried about people's understanding of climate change. Although this understanding varies by cultural context, most studies so far have taken place in industrialized countries. Few studies have explored people’s understandings of climate change in the global South. Through standardized questionnaires and semi-structured interviews conducted in southern Ecuador, this paper explores differences between urban and rural dwellers and compares these with farmers’ understandings of the causes, consequences and risks. We found urban and rural dwellers hold a similar understanding to that found in other nations, but articulated in ways that reflect their particular realities. Despite reporting first-hand experience of the agricultural effects of climate change, when prompted, farmers do not link climate change to their own experience. It is thus important to go beyond judging knowledge as correct or incorrect, and instead, incorporate local realities in the climate narrative

Assessing the Impacts of Hatcheries on Green Turtle Hatchlings

This study provides experimental evidence from Sri Lanka supporting the importance of releasing hatchlings immediately after emergence. Hatcheries may be somewhat resistant to the idea of adjusting their ecotourism policies to maximize hatchling survival upon release, as this would mean that the collection and release of hatchlings should take place in the dark, which may be less appealing for tourists. However, it is possible to combine tourism and conservation, following best practice guidelines (IUCN 2005), which recommend releasing at least 90% of the hatchlings from each nest immediately after emergence, and holding the remaining hatchlings as a tourist attraction. In this way, Sri Lankan, and turtle hatcheries worldwide, would be able to improve their contribution to sea turtle conservation whilst maintaining much needed tourist revenue

FairWild certification: An approach for linking biodiversity conservation with sustainable livelihoods in the northern Western Ghats, India

Biodiversity conservation is a key global sustainability issue. Land use change due to expansion of agriculture, tourism, and development projects is contributing to loss of habitat and species at an alarming rate. Moreover, indiscriminate logging of forests for immediate monetary need is further degrading forests and habitats. This is particularly true for biodiversity areas and ecosystems in the forest landscapes of northern Western Ghats - a global biodiversity hotspot. The situation is exacerbated by a sparse protected area network, the predominantly community ownership of large tracts of biodiversity rich forests, a lack of awareness on the importance of biodiversity in human well-being, and low economic returns from sustainable utilization of biodiversity. Sacred groves - traditionally managed old growth forest fragments that exist in good numbers across the region – offer some hope for the conservation of threatened plants and animals. Yet these areas are facing the consequences of the loss of faith in tradition among the local community. There is thus a growing threat to the ecological integrity of landscape, together with a need to develop a strategy that fulfils monetary expectations of local communities whilst ensuring conservation of key biodiversity areas. With this in mind, AERF implemented the international FairWild certification scheme for the sustainable collection of non-timber forest products from community managed forests in the North Western Ghats. FairWild articulates stringent protocols and requirements with respect to biodiversity conservation, sustainable harvesting methods, monetary benefits to resource owners, ownership of and access to target resources, and the equitable sharing of benefits. Terminalia bellirica and Terminalia chebula were the selected target species based on established demand for their fruits in traditional medicines in India and abroad, the potential for sustainable harvesting, the opportunity for improving economic returns, and the associated conservation benefits. AERF conducted a resource assessment of the trees, cost-benefit analyses and a social feasibility study to understand the potential of this certification scheme. Twenty-five villages were selected for a resource assessment of T. bellirica, while the assessment of T. chebula was carried out in four villages from Sangameshwar and Bhimashankar. Selecting collectors and conducting trainings to build their capacity in sustainable collection and processing of fruits were necessary parts of compliance for FairWild certification. Successful implementation of FairWild certification has provided direct economic benefits to 100 households while protecting up to 600 large trees of Terminalia bellirica and nearly 1,000 old trees of Terminalia chebula in the North Western Ghats

Joining the dots Global Challenges and the Valuing Nature Agenda

The Valuing Nature Network aims to improve understanding of the value of nature in both economic and non-economic terms, and improve the use of these valuations in decision making. It funds interdisciplinary research and builds links between researchers and people who make decisions that affect nature in business, policy-making, and in practice. The Global Challenges Research Fund aims to support research that directly contributes to the sustainable development and welfare of people in developing countries. • A review of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (see Annex I) and their targets revealed a number of themes that have links to the Valuing Nature Network research agenda, specifically: the governance of natural resources; conservation of natural capital and sustainable use of ecosystems; environmentally, socially and economically sustainable agro-forestry systems; and knowledge exchange at the science-policy interface. Assessing the extent and depth of existing research in these areas, and identifying networks of current research collaboration, can enable the identification of key opportunities for advancing research into the natural environment that also seeks to address the challenges associated with international development

How useful are volunteers for visual biodiversity surveys? An evaluation of skill level and group size during a conservation expedition

The ability of volunteers to undertake different tasks and accurately collect data is critical for the success of many conservation projects. In this study, a simulated herpetofauna visual encounter survey was used to compare the detection and distance estimation accuracy of volunteers and more experienced observers. Experience had a positive effect on individual detection accuracy. However, lower detection performance of less experienced volunteers was not found in the group data, with larger groups being more successful overall, suggesting that working in groups facilitates detection accuracy of those with less experience. This study supports the idea that by optimizing survey protocols according to the available resources (time and volunteer numbers), the sampling efficiency of monitoring programs can be improved and that non-expert volunteers can provide valuable contributions to visual encounter-based biodiversity surveys. Recommendations are made for the improvement of survey methodology involving non-expert volunteers

Pilot testing of a sampling methodology for assessing seed attachment propensity and transport rate in a soil matrix carried on boot soles and bike tires

Land managers of natural areas are under pressure to balance demands for increased recreation access with protection of the natural resource. Unintended dispersal of seeds by visitors to natural areas has high potential for weedy plant invasions, with initial seed attachment an important step in the dispersal process. Although walking and mountain biking are popular nature-based recreation activities there are few studies quantifying propensity for seed attachment and transport rate on boot soles and none for bike tires. Attachment and transport rate can potentially be affected by a wide range of factors for which field testing can be time-consuming and expensive. We pilot tested a sampling methodology for measuring seed attachment and transport rate in a soil matrix carried on boot soles and bike tires traversing a known quantity and density of a seed analog (beads) over different distances and soil conditions. We found % attachment rate on boot soles was much lower overall than previously reported but that boot soles had a higher propensity for seed attachment than bike tires in almost all conditions. We believe our methodology offers a cost-effective option for researchers seeking to manipulate and test effects of different influencing factors on these two dispersal vectors

As dead as a dodo? Public understanding and support vis a vis biodiversity and biodiversity loss

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Herpetofauna pet-keeping by secondary school students: Causes for concern

This study of the patterns of the keeping of herpetofauna animals and associated animal welfare issues among secondary school pupils in the United Kingdom suggests that a large proportion of the animals kept as companion animals by this group are indigenous species. In comparison with purchased species, these captured animals, even those normally long-lived, appear to suffer a high rate of mortality. Relatively large numbers of escape- and food-related deaths among these animals imply that many are not furnished with suitable vivaria or adequate care. Traded reptile and amphibian species were reported to have been kept by nearly 40% of the students who said they had kept herpetofauna, and the proportions of most taxa reflected their availability in shops. Data concerning students' opinions about their own care-knowledge appeared to support the general conclusion that students have much to learn about keeping reptiles and amphibians. These findings are considered in relation to issues of animal welfare and herpetofauna conservation. Their ramifications for school-based education about reptiles and amphibians are also discussed