Perceptions of bushfire risk mitigation and biodiversity conservation: a systematic review of fifteen years of research

Abstract

Bushfire management systems can potentially undermine conservation policy if people do not value biodiversity conservation or understand what constitutes effective fire management. Our objective for this study was to review recent social research that explores public and practitioner perceptions of risk mitigation and biodiversity values in relation to bushfire management. To do this we undertook a systematic review of bushfire management literature published over a 15-year period from the year 2000 to 2014 to evaluate the current state of knowledge addressing public and practitioner perceptions of the relationship between bushfire risk and biodiversity conservation within a fire management context. A total of 39 articles addressed this issue, suggesting a disconnect between research into perceptions of bushfire risk mitigation and perceptions of biodiversity conservation. An integrated research approach that addresses the social component of the impact of risk mitigation policy and biodiversity conservation strategies is needed.