Abstract
Horticultural trade is recognized as an important vector in promoting the introduction and dispersal of harmful non-native plant species. Understanding horticulturists' perceptions of biotic invasions is therefore important for effective species risk management. We conducted a large-scale survey among horticulturists in Switzerland (N = 625) to reveal horticulturists' risk and benefit perceptions from ornamental plant species, their attitudes towards the regulation of non-native species, as well as the factors decisive for environmental risk perceptions and horticulturists' willingness to engage in risk mitigation behavior. Our results suggest that perceived familiarity with a plant species had a mitigating effect on risk perceptions, while perceptions of risk increased if a species was perceived to be non-native. However, perceptions of the non-native origin of ornamental plant species were often not congruent with scientific classifications. Horticulturists displayed positive attitudes towards mandatory trade regulations, particularly towards those targeted against known invasive species. Participants also expressed their willingness to engage in risk mitigation behavior. Yet, positive effects of risk perceptions on the willingness to engage in risk mitigation behavior were counteracted by perceptions of benefits from selling non-native ornamental species. Our results indicate that the prevalent practice in risk communication to emphasize the non-native origin of invasive species can be ineffective, especially in the case of species of high importance to local industries and people. This is because familiarity with these plants can reduce risk perceptions and be in conflict with scientific concepts of non-nativeness. In these cases, it might be more effective to focus communication on well-documented environmental impacts of harmful species.
Highlights
Increasing international trade is of major concern in ecology and in environmental management because it enables species dispersal across biogeographic barriers [1,2,3]
In the literature it is generally assumed that new species can pose a major risk to biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, or human well-being [5,6]. This is for example the case if introduced plant species become dominant and possibly alter ecosystem functions, or when non-native species are associated with harm to other species or to the economy [7]
In order to design effective risk management strategies, it is important to better understand what drives horticulturists’ risk perceptions and what factors influence their willingness to engage in risk mitigation behavior
Summary
Increasing international trade is of major concern in ecology and in environmental management because it enables species dispersal across biogeographic barriers [1,2,3]. Peters et al [24] and Coats et al [19] link horticulturists’ interest in voluntary customer information to the perceived responsibility of the horticultural industry for the cost of damage resulting from nonnative invasive ornamentals sold in their businesses These studies described horticulturists’ attitudes, but the psychological determinants that may shape risk perceptions towards non-native plant species were not examined. Fischer and van der Wal [30] examined attitudes by the public towards the management of a non-native invasive plant species (Lavatera arborea) and found that risk perceptions and support of management measures were connected to environmental values such as ecological balance in nature or naturalness (defined as nature untouched by humans) While those participants that were concerned about the loss of an ecological balance in nature stated a need for action, those who were concerned about naturalness preferred no intervention. We expected that (iv) perceived risk of non-native plants has a positive and perceived benefit a negative influence on respondents’ willingness to support risk management action against non-native invasive plant species
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