The psychological impacts of community‐based protected areas

Abstract

This cross‐sectional and mixed‐methods study uses Self‐Determination Theory and the Theory of Basic Human Values to investigate changes in motivations, attitudes, beliefs and values following the establishment of community‐based marine protected areas (MPAs). Open‐ended and retrospective questions, as well as survey instruments, were used in six communities with different‐aged (new: 1–3 years old, medium‐aged: 5–11 years old and old: 20–25 years old) MPAs in the Philippines. Respondents included both community members either involved (n = 101) or not involved (n = 108) in MPA management. Respondents reported increased appreciation for the benefits of MPAs and more positive attitudes about MPAs over time. In comparison to respondents from communities with new MPAs, respondents in communities with medium‐aged and old MPAs identified a wider range of MPA impacts on themselves (e.g. new friendships, learning and greater pro‐environmental values), their community (e.g. increased fish catch, social capital), and on ecosystems (e.g. different species and ecosystems‐types). Similarly, respondents from medium‐aged and old MPAs had fewer non‐autonomous motivations (i.e. motivations arising externally, such as social status or pay) to engage in MPA management and also had higher self‐transcendence values, such as caring for nature. These results suggest that community‐based MPAs may encourage psychological shifts in communities such as greater autonomous motivation to care for nature and enhanced self‐transcendence values, both of which may support conservation. By developing a more holistic approach to assessing the multi‐faceted impacts of community‐based conservation, this type of psychological research helps to identify and prioritize timely actions in the establishment and maintenance of resilient and sustainable community‐based MPAs.