Understanding attitudes to urban tree conservation in Mindanao Island, Philippines

Abstract

ABSTRACT Urban trees play a critical role in improving the quality of life among urban residents and provide various ecosystem services. Despite this, urban trees are facing various challenges ranging from urban development to climate change and call for the need for conservation. This study conducted face-to-face interviews (n = 381) in Cotabato City, Mindanao Island, Philippines and employs the Extended Theory of Planned Behaviour (ETPB) to understand the factors affecting and mediating roles of socio-demographics such as gender and level of education on the intention to support urban tree conservation. Respondents exhibited a positive attitude and would support any conservation measures related to urban tree conservation. The attitude (ATT) towards urban trees, subjective norms (SN) and perceived usefulness (PUF) of urban trees were positively and significantly associated with the intention (IN) to support urban tree conservation. Gender shows varying effects while the level of education insignificantly moderates the IN to support urban tree conservation. The findings of this study provide valuable information to the concerned agencies to formulate effective programmes and policies relating to urban tree conservation in the region and possibly in the country. Further studies should consider exploring the integration of other variables and socio-demographics into the model for a more comprehensive understanding of urban tree conservation in the country.