Scale and sense of place among urban dwellers

Place connections are core to being human: Every person lives in, and thus has direct experience of, at least one place and likely of numerous places throughout a lifetime. Sense of place—or the meanings, knowledge, and bonds that arise from the biophysical, social, and political–economic aspects of places—in turn influences people\u27s interactions with those places. Of particular interest to researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, such interactions can impact place-protective, stewardship, or conservation behaviors. However, how sense of place develops and what it represents is shifting in today\u27s rapidly urbanizing, globalizing world. Especially when considering the integrated social–ecological context, questions related to how sense of place forms and is enacted in urban settings and at a range of geographic scales are challenging to study. Our study addresses this dynamic space: We examined how people\u27s place connections intersect with their notions of geographic scale and levels of urbanity. Specifically, we conducted a 1201-person randomized telephone survey in the San Francisco Bay Area ecoregion of California, USA, to explore how sense of place varies by (1) the scale of what people consider to be their place, and (2) the urbanity of where people live. In comparison with respondents who perceived their place as the larger-scale ecoregion, we found that respondents who perceived their place as primarily focused on the urban area rated their connection to the biophysical aspects of place (the plants, animals, and landscape-related elements) lower. Similarly, overall, respondents who lived in urban areas rated their connections to the biophysical aspects of place lower than did respondents who lived in non-urban areas. Our findings suggest the importance of encouraging conceptualizations of place at broader geographic scales and, particularly, of supporting notions of urban spaces that stretch beyond urban boundaries. We also call for supporting increased engagement with urban nature, especially among residents of urban areas

Human-coyote interactions: risk perception and education evaluation in a national park

Human dimensions uses theoretical frameworks (e.g., cognitive hierarchy) and applied methods to understand human-wildlife conflicts. In this dissertation, the cognitive hierarchy is used to understand the relationships among cognitions measured at different levels of specificity. Cognitions can range from general (e.g., values/value orientations) to specific (e.g., attitudes/norms), which in turn influence individual and/or agency behaviour (e.g., management actions). This study examined different levels of cognition in relation to human-coyote interactions in Cape Breton Highlands National Park in Nova Scotia, Canada. Since a coyote caused death the of a park visitor in 2009, safety has become a primary concern for the park. Understanding human-coyote interactions supports informed management decisions and planning, and extends theoretical insights to human-wildlife conflicts. Carnivores can ignite the imagination and polarize people’s beliefs, attitudes, and preferences about acceptable management practices. Aspects of risk perception such as the fear or likelihood of, and control over, an interaction with a potentially dangerous species play a role in a person’s attitudes and management preferences. These risk perceptions are examined and compared among residents, park visitors, and park staff (Chapter 2). People’s beliefs, attitudes, and preferences of acceptable management practices are also influenced by emotions. Human dimensions of wildlife research has traditionally focused on cognitions, which commonly explain 50% of the variance of responses. Emotions may account for another portion of the variation, as wildlife issues are often contentious. To assess the potential influence of emotions on behavioural intention, emotional dispositions are examined relative to different types of humancoyote interactions (Chapter 3). Understanding the cognitive and emotional influences on management action acceptability is important for guiding management decisions and helping to develop human dimensions of wildlife theory. Understanding which management action is more or less acceptable in relation to different types of humancoyote interactions is also important for guiding management actions (Chapter 4). In this dissertation, risk perception, emotional disposition, and the acceptability of management strategies are examined to better understand the nature of ongoing humanwildlife conflicts. Based on this research, a practical management intervention was developed. The effectiveness of an experiential coyote education program was evaluated to see whether the program influenced change in attitudes and risk perceptions in participants (Chapter 5). This study examined human dimensions of wildlife theory within the context of the research questions and contributed a management intervention for human-coyote interactions

All-terrain vehicle use:a value-norm-perception model predicting perceived impact on coastal dunes

Coastal dunes are sensitive to human pressure, even at low use levels. With the increase of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use on dunes and the impacts associated with trampling dune vegetation, ATVs have become a primary concern for land managers charged with coastal protection. To better understand the situation, this article examined the relationships among ATV users': (a) general value orientations (i.e., mutualism and domination, (b) norms (i.e., Awareness of Consequences, AC, and Ascription of Responsibility, AR), and (c) perceived impacts on coastal sand dunes. The two norms constructs were predicted to mediate the relationship between general value orientations and perceived impacts. Data were obtained from a systematic random sample of ATV users in the three communities in rural Canada (n = 97). Results indicated that mutualism was positively related to AC and AR and domination was negatively related to AC. Domination and AC were related to perceived impacts on coastal sand dunes. None of the other predicted relationships, however, were statistically significant

All-terrain vehicles:differences in perceptions of impact on coastal dunes among communities in New Brunswick, Canada

The increase of illegal all-terrain vehicle (ATV) use on New Brunswick coasts causes concern for the integrity of sandy beaches and dune systems, essential barriers for coastal protection. Using a randomly distributed self-administered questionnaire, we compared three New Brunswick coastal communities concerning resident's: (a) perceptions of impact on; (b) perceived main threat to; (c) value orientations about; and the (d) acceptability of use and management of ATVs on; coastal dunes. ANOVA identified the mean differences between communities and the Potential for Conflict Index2 identified differences in levels of consensus in these concepts. Data revealed that Miscou Island significantly differed from Pointe-Sapin in perceived impacts of photographed dunes, the main threat to dunes, and in ATV restrictions. These results suggest that perceptions of impact may be context specific. By understanding these communities individually, better communication messages may be designed. Management implications:• The baseline results of this study can be used by all-terrain vehicle (ATV) managers in New Brunswick to enhance communication methods by acknowledging the differences and similarities between the communities. • One community may be more aware of the impacts caused to sand dunes by ATVs which may have important implications for public engagement. • Historical and geographic context may be crucial to the community's perceptions of impact and the acceptance of ATV management. </p

Science in action or science inaction? Evaluating the implementation of best available science” in hydropower relicensing

Over the next two decades, half of all hydropower projects in the USA will require relicensing by the Federal Regulatory Commission (FERC). Relicensing proceedings invoke a range of informational sources and agency regulators are tasked with using the “best available science” (BAS) to make informed decisions about hydropower operations and management. Although embraced as the standard, BAS is not well-defined. The Kennebec and Penobscot River watersheds in Maine provide an ideal opportunity for studying BAS in the relicensing process in the context of fish passage concerns. Using citation analysis and an online survey, we identified informational sources used in relicensing decisions for dams in this system and assessed agency perceptions of BAS. Analysis of relicensing documents (n=62) demonstrates that FERC and licensee documents are highly similar in citation composition. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) documents typically cite more sources and are three times more likely to cite peer-reviewed sources than FERC and licensee documents. Survey data reveals that federal and state agency respondents (n=49) rate peer-reviewed literature highly as BAS, followed by university, agency, and expert sources while industry and community sources rate poorly. Federal respondents report using peer-reviewed/academic sources more frequently and expert sources less frequently than state respondents. Overall, the agreement between individuals with respect to the valuation of sources is low. The reported differences in information use may be linked to disparities in the access to certain sources of information, particularly peer-reviewed literature. Enhanced understanding of information use may aid in identifying pathways for better informed relicensing decisions

Heterogeneity among Rural Resident Attitudes Toward Wolves

Rural communities are often considered a homogeneous population in resource management. Wolf management is no exception. To understand the diversity of rural attitudes toward wolves and wolf management, data were obtained through a mail questionnaire to rural residents (n = 555; 69% response rate) of southwestern Alberta. Results indicated three distinct clusters differentiated by respondents\u27 attitudes toward: (a) wolves and fear and (b) wolf management. Cluster 1 had negative attitudes toward wolves (n = 85) and was composed of livestock producers and hunters. Cluster 2 was neutral (n = 184), and cluster 3 was positive (n = 276) toward wolves. Cluster 2 and 3 were primarily composed of non-hunters and non-livestock producers. With movement of people into rural areas with varying backgrounds the rural community now has multiple attitudinal groups and wildlife managers will need to tailor their efforts to communicate with different groups