A direct personal experience of science and nature changes intended behaviours for conservation

Social and affective empathy may generate future conservation benefits as the consequence of transformed personal attitudes. In this study, we investigated changes in attitudes and intended behaviours about the plight of woodland songbirds before and after participation in science activities and direct interaction with scientists monitoring avian biodiversity at Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) in South Australia. A total of 55 anonymous adult participants were invited to join a survey before and after participating in two 3-h workshops on avian science plus acoustic data collection. Comparing the survey results before and after the experience, there were significant shifts in self-reported “good” knowledge about woodland songbirds; increased concern about the conservation status of woodland birds; increased concern about cessation of songbird research; and an increased interest to play a role in songbird conservation. Further investigations could aim to elucidate the mechanisms for shifts in attitudes that occur together with experiencing nature. In general, this small-scale study provides evidence that nature-based science activities can represent valuable hands-on experience in science and may contribute to conservation outcomes by fostering environmental awareness and self-reported aims for involvement.</p

Differences in excretion patterns of endoparasite products depending on pair bond status.

<p>Percentage of samples containing (grey bars) as well as not containing (white bars) endoparasite products for paired and unpaired individuals. N_paired = 10, N_unpaired = 22, N_samples = 130.</p

Differences in excretion patterns of endoparasite products depending on pair bond status.

<p>Percentage of samples containing (grey bars) as well as not containing (white bars) endoparasite products for paired and unpaired individuals. N_paired = 10, N_unpaired = 22, N_samples = 130.</p

Model-averaged coefficients.

<p>Given are the coefficients with adjusted standard errors, lower and upper confidence intervals and relative importance of the top-ranked models.</p

Seasonal differences in engaging in affiliative interactions.

<p>Percentage of occurrences of initiated affiliative behaviour for the reproductive and post-reproductive season. N_reproductive = 87, N_{post-reproductive} = 197.</p

Detected corticosterone metabolite concentrations for two assays.

<p>Median (± SE) levels of excreted corticosterone metabolites of all four individuals for the 11-oxoaetiocholanolone enzyme immunoassay (best-suited assay, grey boxplots) and the corticosterone enzyme immunoassay (white boxplots). N_individuals = 4, N_samples = 81.</p

Seasonal differences in excretion patterns of endoparasite products.

<p>Percentage of samples containing (grey bars) as well as not containing (white bars) endoparasite products for the reproductive and post-reproductive season. N_reproductive = 83, N_{post-reproductive} = 28, N_samples = 111.</p