Ways forward for aquatic conservation: Applications of environmental psychology to support management objectives

Abstract

The success or failure of environmental management goals can be partially attributed to the support for such goals from the public. Despite this, environmental management is still dominated by a natural science approach with little input from disciplines that are concerned with the relationship between humans and the natural environment such as environmental psychology. Within the marine and freshwater environments, this is particularly concerning given the cultural and aesthetic significance of these environments to the public, coupled with the services delivered by freshwater and marine ecosystems, and the vulnerability of aquatic ecosystems to human-driven environmental perturbations. This paper documents nine case studies which use environmental psychology methods to support a range of aquatic management goals. Examples include understanding the drivers of public attitudes towards ecologically important but uncharismatic river species, impacts of marine litter on human well-being, efficacy of small-scale governance of tropical marine fisheries and the role of media in shaping attitudes towards. These case studies illustrate how environmental psychology and natural sciences can be used together to apply an interdisciplinary approach to the management of aquatic environments. Such an approach that actively takes into account the range of issues surrounding aquatic environment management is more likely to result in successful outcomes, from both human and environmental perspectives. Furthermore, the results illustrate that better understanding the societal importance of aquatic ecosystems can reduce conflict between social needs and ecological objectives, and help improve the governance of aquatic ecosystems. Thus, this paper concludes that an effective relationship between academics and practitioners requires fully utilising the skills, knowledge and experience from both sectors.

Public perception of river fish biodiversity in four European countries

“…Most of the previous social science studies on freshwater fish and biodiversity have been conducted on specific stakeholder groups and single countries (Bremner & Park ; Riepe & Arlinghaus ; Walker‐Springett et al. ). Our study broadens the perspective in relation to the public's perception of river fish biodiversity in central and northern Europe using identical questionnaires.…”

“…Environmental policies introduced to address the freshwater biodiversity crisis are driven and affected by people's priorities and their support for conservation (Walker‐Springett et al. ). These priorities follow prevailing cultural values and material conditions (Inglehart ), meaning they are based on both objectively measurable conditions of the environment and the people's subjective interpretation of nature (Eder ).…”

Deconstructing the Reality of Community-Based Management of Marine Resources in a Small Island Context in Indonesia

“…In this respect, the analysis of local resource users' perceptions, which are socially constructed and informed by both personal experience and the information available (Clayton and Myers, 2009), are crucial to understand what motivates (or not) individuals to engage in CBM of marine resources (McClanahan et al, 2005;Walker-Springett et al, 2016). This study reveals how the divergences in the perceptions of the members in a community affect their motivation to engage in the CBM endeavor.…”

Emerging frontiers in perceptions research for aquatic conservation

“…Emerging research on public perceptions suggests research should broadly address ‘public engagement’ in terms of the various ways in which people relate to aquatic conservation‐related issues (Chilvers et al ., ). This combines definitions of public engagement as an individual's state of knowledge, values and behaviour relating to aquatic conservation, with those that emphasize collective forms of public engagement in policymaking, forms of activism, and social innovation (Kasemir et al ., ; Felt and Wynne, ; Wynne, ; Chilvers, ; Callon et al ., ; Walker‐Springett et al ., ).…”

“…Researchers and NGOs have promoted a shift towards more inclusive community, user‐led and participatory processes for marine and freshwater conservation initiative design and implementation, under the assumption that this would offer better incentives for people to engage and comply (Cinner et al ., ; Aburto et al, ; Walker‐Springett et al ., ). In fact, the whole notion of protected areas (‘fenced off’ and unavailable for development), has been questioned as a conservation initiative, and can be seen: (a) as a failure of holistic environmental protection, since they imply that only these areas are to be conserved, and everywhere else can be exploited; and (b) as an elitist protection policy, reserving desirable conditions only for those with sufficient resources to enjoy them (O'Keeffe, ).…”