Factors Affecting Residents’ Support for Protected Area Designation

Sunjoo Park,Seong-Il Kim,Yoonjeong Jeong,Seweryn Zielinski

doi:10.3390/su12072800

Sunjoo Park, Seong-Il Kim + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/su12072800

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Journal: Sustainability	Publication Date: Apr 1, 2020
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Seoul National University, Sejong University

Abstract

This study examined the formation of residents’ behavioral intentions to support the expansion of protected areas (PAs). A structural equation model combining the theory of planned behavior and an expectancy disconfirmation model were employed to test seven hypotheses on the influence of expectations, performance, satisfaction, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention to support PA designation. The findings indicate that although the expectations of PA performance did not significantly influence the satisfaction from PAs, the perceived performance after the designation significantly contributed to building satisfaction, which in turn had a significant role in explaining attitudes. Furthermore, positive and significant associations of subjective norms and behavioral control with behavioral intention to support additional designation were identified. These results provide indications for PA managers and environmental agencies regarding aspects to consider when engaging in planning with local communities and appropriate ways to respond to their concerns.

Highlights

Protected areas (PAs) have been widely used as one of the central strategies for biodiversity conservation around the world [1]
A structural equation model combining the theory of planned behavior and expectancy disconfirmation model was employed to test seven hypotheses on the influence of expectations, performance, satisfaction, attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control on behavioral intention to support PA designation
There is a myriad of studies on residents’ attitudes toward conservation and PAs, very few studies empirically examined how these attitudes are created and whether there are other factors that lead to the actual behavior to support PAs

Summary

Introduction

Protected areas (PAs) have been widely used as one of the central strategies for biodiversity conservation around the world [1]. PAs comprise areas that often integrate a wide range of land uses. Their designation by national governments requires political support and local support from communities inhabiting the area, which is perhaps more important. The importance of local participation in planning and management has been emphasized in the context of PAs [5,6]. Participatory planning approaches applied through stakeholder surveys, and mechanisms to involve communities in managing, coordinating, and integrating their internal programs and activities have been widely promoted [9]. In the planning and management of modern PAs, increasing attention is being paid to social support, which makes behavioral studies a key tool to evaluate public attitudes toward and acceptance of conservation initiatives [14]

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