Assessing awareness of tree pests and pathogens amongst tree professionals: A pan-European perspective

Marzano, Mariella; Dandy, Norman; Papazova–Anakieva, Irena; Avtzis, Dimitrios Ν.; Connolly, Thomas P.; Eschen, René; Glavendekić, Milka; Hurley, Brett Phillip; Lindelöw, Åke; Matošević, Dinka; Tomov, R.; Vettraino, Anna Maria

doi:10.1016/j.forpol.2016.06.030

Cited by 27 publications

(33 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…Fuller et al 2016;Marzano et al 2016;McFarlane et al 2006), our findings indicate generally low levels of awareness and knowledge of tree pests and diseases, but higher levels of stated concern. This may reflect a tendency for people to be more concerned about unfamiliar risks or those they know little about, risks that may have effects that are delayed in time and where there is scientific uncertainty (Renn 2008;Slovic et al 1980;Williamson and Weyman 2005).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Awareness, concern and willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours: public perceptions of invasive tree pests and pathogens in the UK

et al. 2017

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The growing incidence of invasive tree pest and disease outbreaks is recognised as an increasing threat to ecosystem services and human wellbeing. Linked to global trade, human movement and climate change, a number of outbreaks have attracted high public and media attention. However, there is surprisingly little evidence characterising the nature of public attentiveness to these events, nor how publics might respond to evolving outbreaks and the management actions taken. This paper presents findings from an online questionnaire involving 1334 respondents nationally-representative of the British public to assess awareness, concern and willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours. Despite revealing low levels of awareness and knowledge, the results indicate that the British public is concerned about the health of trees, forests and woodlands and is moderately willing to adopt biosecure behaviours. A key finding is that membership of environmental organisations and strong place identity are likely to engender higher awareness and levels of concern about tree pests and diseases. Further, those who visit woodlands regularly are likely to be more aware than non-visitors, and gardeners are more likely to be concerned than non-gardeners. Women, older respondents, those with strong place identity and dependence, members of environmental organisations, woodland visitors and gardeners were most likely to express a willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours. A comparison with findings from a survey conducted by the authors 3 years previously shows a decline over time in awareness, concern and willingness.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 60%

Awareness, concern and willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours: public perceptions of invasive tree pests and pathogens in the UK

et al. 2017

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“…In their study of forestry professionals in South Africa, Hurley et al (2012) found that general levels of awareness of tree pests was relatively high, but they were lower in relation to specific pests. A survey of 392 tree professionals across nine European countries also reported relatively modest levels of awareness of tree pests (Marzano et al 2016). Out of the six pests listed, just over half (51.4%) stated that they had little or no awareness of these pests.…”

Section: Awareness Levels Of Tree Pest and Diseases And Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Behaviours listed mostly include actions such as plant buying habits (not importing plants, buying from accredited sources), cleaning footwear and equipment and citizen science activities. For example, 88% of tree professionals in nine European countries said they preferentially buy plants from an accredited source; 77% would avoid bringing in plants from abroad but only 65% said they would clean footwear, vehicles and bike tyres after visiting parks, gardens and woodlands (Marzano et al 2016). Respondents from the 'People's Panel' in Auckland stated that, in addition to cleaning stations, they had cleaned boots and equipment at home (34%) and informed family and friends about kauri dieback (32%).…”

Section: Awareness Levels Of Tree Pest and Diseases And Behavioursmentioning

confidence: 99%

The role of the social sciences and economics in understanding and informing tree biosecurity policy and planning: a global summary and synthesis

Marzano

Allen²,

Haight

et al. 2017

Biol Invasions

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Increased global biosecurity threats to trees, woods and forests have been strongly linked to the upsurge in worldwide trade and the expansion of tourism. A whole range of social, economic and political actors are implicated and affected by the movement 2 of pests and diseases along these international pathways. A number of factors affect the actions of stakeholders, and wider public, including their values and motivations, how risks are perceived and acted upon, their ability to act, as well as the existing regulatory and economic environment. Understanding these factors is key to any future attempts to improve biosecurity policy and practice, and we present available evidence on six key dimension: (1) the role of different stakeholders and the broader public within tree health; (2) levels of knowledge and awareness of tree pests and diseases amongst the variety of end-user 'stakeholder' groups, and influences on their attitudes and practices; (3) social acceptability of management approaches; (4) the impact of formal and informal governance arrangements; (5) risk communication; (6) economic analyses on the impact of tree pests. We conclude by identifying evidence gaps and emphasising the need for better integration within the social sciences and between the social and natural sciences to promote effective interdisciplinary and policy-relevant contributions to tree health.

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“…However, invasive tree pests and diseases are increasingly impacting natural resources and the benefits and services they provide. Research on the social dimensions of tree health has provided a range of insights into the risk perceptions, decision-making and behaviors of owners and managers of woodlands and forests [7][8][9]. Research suggests that biosecurity actions depend on: the range of values and beliefs structuring attitudes and willingness to act or to accept pest control and management measures [10,11]; assessments of risk, how these are socially mediated and resulting trade-offs [12,13]; whether advice about control and management and the need for action is considered to be "legitimate" or come from a legitimate source [10]; a belief in the control or management option actually being effective [14]; and, being able to assign responsibility for management [15].…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

Marzano¹,

Ambrose-Oji²,

Moseley³

2020

Forests

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Oak processionary moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) or OPM was accidentally introduced into London on imported oak trees and now poses a threat to the future of oak in the urban landscape. Early attempts at eradication of the moth failed and significant resources have since been spent by government on monitoring and controlling OPM (through the use of insecticides or bio-pesticides) as it spreads into new areas. OPM is regulated in the UK to minimize risk of new introductions and reduce spread. Surveying for OPM and issuing of statutory notices for control is based on a geographical system of core, control and protected zones. While OPM will defoliate the trees leaving them vulnerable to other pests and diseases and stress factors, the caterpillars can also harm people and animals via tiny urticating hairs with the potential for dermatological or respiratory impacts. However, the biggest threat to the iconic British oak may be that the perceived risks associated with OPM, and costs of management may lead land managers to fell their oak trees, and not plant oak in the future. There is a need to better understand awareness, risk perceptions and decision-making around OPM management. We use a conceptual framework to explore decision-making and the trade-offs between the social, economic and ecological values associated with oak trees, and assessment of risk related to both the moth and control options. Twenty nine interviews were conducted in two London boroughs and across Greater London and in some surrounding counties covering a range of land types (e.g., parks, school grounds, amenity areas and private gardens) with infested or non-infested oak. We found a lack of evidence of human health impacts from OPM although land managers were concerned about public duty of care and potential reputational damage if they do not manage OPM. To address the challenges of dealing with OPM, land managers were taking a risk-based approach and managing OPM where it posed the highest potential risk to people. Respondents expressed strong emotional attachments to oak but it also has high biodiversity value which can lead to difficult decisions about management options. A risk-based approach moves beyond a 'one-size-fits-all' control method and focuses available resources where they are most needed and socially acceptable. An approach that allows for multiple values and perspectives on risk may provide a more sustainable long-term option for OPM management to ensure the future of oak in the city.importance of urban parks and greenspaces providing urban populations with economic, social and health and wellbeing benefits cannot therefore be underestimated. However, invasive tree pests and diseases are increasingly impacting natural resources and the benefits and services they provide. Research on the social dimensions of tree health has provided a range of insights into the risk perceptions, decision-making and behaviors of owners and managers of woodlands and forests [7][8][9]. Research suggests that biosecurity actions depend on: the r...

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Assessing awareness of tree pests and pathogens amongst tree professionals: A pan-European perspective

Cited by 27 publications

References 35 publications

Awareness, concern and willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours: public perceptions of invasive tree pests and pathogens in the UK

Awareness, concern and willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours: public perceptions of invasive tree pests and pathogens in the UK

The role of the social sciences and economics in understanding and informing tree biosecurity policy and planning: a global summary and synthesis

Pests in the City: Managing Public Health Risks and Social Values in Response to Oak Processionary Moth (Thaumetopoea processionea) in the United Kingdom

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