Conservative Behavior Research Articles

Transformative Experiences and Responsible Visitation in Yellowstone National Park:The Case of Canyon Village Concessionaire Seasonal Employees

Immersive encounters with nature have the power to catalyze enduring shifts in attitudes towards conservation and foster pro-environmental behaviors. Employing qualitative research methodologies, I delved into the experiences of concessionaire seasonal employees at Canyon Village within Yellowstone National Park (YELL). By exploring how their seasonal roles engendered a heightened reverence for the land, a sense of stewardship, and a deeper connection to the natural world, I conducted face-to-face semi-structured interviews with concessionaire seasonal employees in Canyon Village from the 2015 and 2023 seasons. I crafted an autoethnography, recounting my own experiences as a seasonal employee in 2015. I identified five themes, with participants highlighting the setting of YELL and the social bonds forged with fellow seasonal workers as pivotal elements of their transformative journey. Additionally, there are tangible solutions from this research that are beneficial to the NPS and concessionaires. This research will also assist the NPS with the strategic mission of cultivating close relationships with the concessionaires operating in YELL. Recognizing concessionaire seasonal employees as allies to the National Park Service (NPS), they can contribute to the overarching goals and mission of conservation and preservation.

Segmenting Hotel Guests' Behavior: Insights for Developing Effective Water Conservation Programs

ABSTRACTThis research underscores the need to modify tourists' behaviors to ensure sustainable water usage in high‐demand destinations. In‐room water conservation of 681 hotel guests was analyzed based on habit, effort, and enjoyment theory (HEET). The analysis reveals four distinct guest clusters based on a combination of cognitive, affective, automated behavior, and consumer identity variables. Water conservation behaviors and attitudes ranged from those of “Environmentally conscious tourists,” who exhibited strong conservation efforts and low hedonic motivations, to those of “Pleasure‐seeking tourists,” who prioritized pleasure over sustainability. The segmentation analysis used the Gaussian finite mixture model for clustering, providing insights into how to tailor social marketing interventions to promote water conservation behavior among guests. This novel segmentation approach fills a gap in the literature by considering non‐cognitive and habitual behaviors. It also provides a practical framework for designing more effective environmental strategies in tourism, particularly in water‐stressed areas.

Relationships between structural stigma, societal stigma, and minority stress among gender minority people

Structural stigma towards gender minority (GM; people whose current gender does not align with sex assigned at birth) people is an important contributor to minority stress (i.e., stress experienced due to one’s marginalized GM identity), although existing variables are unclear in their inclusion of social norms, or societal stigma, as a key component of the construct. We examined potential variables representing structural stigma, including variables that are inclusive of societal stigma, to identify those that most strongly relate to minority stress outcomes. We tested variables identified in the literature as measures of structural stigma inclusive of societal stigma (LGBT + Business Climate Index, state voting behaviors, and Google Trends search data), the most commonly used structural stigma variable (State Policy Environment Tally), and proxy variables (region, population density) for comparison. The relationships between structural stigma and minority stress model outcomes were tested in a sample of GM participants from The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality (PRIDE) Study (N = 2,094) 2019 Annual Questionnaire using a structural equation model (SEM). Lower structural stigma (i.e., higher LGBT Business Climate Index) was associated with lower experienced stigma (β= -0.260, p < .01) and lower anticipated stigma (β= -0.433, p < .001). Greater conservative voting behavior was associated with less experienced stigma (β= -0.103, p < .01). Living in a more densely populated county was also associated with lower anticipated stigma (β=-0.108, p < .001) and greater identity outness (β = 0.053, p < .05). Two of the identified structural stigma variables that were inclusive of societal stigma (i.e., LGBT + Business Climate Index, conservative voting behaviors) and one proxy variable (population density) were associated with minority stress outcomes. However, the most commonly used variable for structural stigma (State Policy Environment Tally) was not associated with any outcomes. The State LGBT + Business Climate Index showed the most promise for use as a structural stigma variable in future research. The application of this variable should be investigated further to explore its association with health outcomes and to inform efforts to reduce health equity barriers experienced by GM people through addressing structural stigma in a manner inclusive of societal stigma.

Volume and Mass Conservation in Lagrangian Meshfree Methods

ABSTRACTMeshfree Lagrangian frameworks for free surface flow simulations do not conserve fluid volume. Meshfree particle methods like SPH are not mimetic, in the sense that discrete mass conservation does not imply discrete volume conservation. On the other hand, meshfree collocation methods typically do not use any notion of mass. As a result, they are neither mass conservative nor volume conservative at the discrete level. In this paper, we give an overview of various sources of conservation errors across different meshfree methods. The present work focuses on one specific issue: inconsistent volume and mass definitions. We introduce the concept of representative masses and densities, which are essential for accurate post‐processing in meshfree collocation methods. Using these, we introduce an artificial compressibility in the fluid to reduce errors in volume conservation. Numerical experiments show that the introduced frameworks significantly improve volume conservation behaviour in meshfree collocation methods, even for complex industrial test cases such as automotive water crossing.

The impact of social capital spatial structure and village collective action participation on farmland conservation behavior among farmers: evidence from three provinces of Northwest China

The impact of social capital spatial structure and village collective action participation on farmland conservation behavior among farmers: evidence from three provinces of Northwest China

Farmers&amp;rsquo; Awareness of Land Degradation in the Dry Zone Rain-fed Uplands: The Case of Ranpathwila Cascaded Tank Village System, Sri Lanka

Purpose: The Rain-fed uplands of Cascaded Tank Village Systems (CTVS) in the Sri Lankan dry zone are degrading while challenging the food security, economy and ecological sustainability of the nation. Farmers’ unawareness of land degradation (LD), and irresponsibility for land conservation are often accused of the LD, yet with limited empirical evidence. Therefore, this study aims at providing empirical evidence on farmers’ awareness of LD by investigating farmers’ perceived indicators and causes of LD i.e., deforestation, soil erosion, soil fertility decline, and their perceived responsibility to halt LD.Research Method: A questionnaire survey was administered among conveniently sampled 291 farmers in the Ranpathiwila CTVS area along with interviews and field observations. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics including Multiple response analysis in SPSS 18.Findings: Farmers are aware of LD by physically examining and qualitatively assessing the relevant indicators of LD (E.g., onsite and offsite, and present and past consequences of LD) and recognizing both relevant natural and anthropogenic causes of LD. Moreover, farmers’ awareness embraces the holistic nature of their land resources. Although farmers feel high moral responsibility for the causes of LD, they feel low or partial moral responsibility to take action to halt LD.Value: The empirical evidence provides a basis for policymakers to avoid stereotyping of land-users as ignorant of LD in conservation interventions, thus suggesting to consider possible other factors affecting farmers’ conservation behavior.

Exploring behavioral determinants of residents’ ecological conservation in rural tourism development

This study explores the residents’ behavioral determinants of ecological conservation in rural tourism development, focusing on resident participation to promote sustainable development in the tourism industry. By integrating the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and the Norm Activation Model (NAM), it examines the roles of subjective norm, responsibility attribution, ecological environmental risk perception, and human capital in shaping ecological conservation behavior. Based on data from 331 valid responses collected through a questionnaire survey, structural equation model (SEM) was performed using SPSS and AMOS to analyze ecological conservation behavior. The findings reveal that subjective norm and responsibility attribution significantly enhance ecological protection intention, which subsequently boosts ecological protection behavior. The relationship between subjective norm and behavior is mediated by intention, while ecological environmental risk perception positively moderates the subjective norm-behavior relationship. Additionally, human capital positively and significantly moderates the intention-behavior relationship. Significant differences in ecological conservation behavior were found based on gender and age, with men and women, as well as different age groups, responding uniquely to the ecological intention and the ecological environmental risk perception. To promote sustainable tourism development, targeted policy recommendations were put forward.

Pacific Proving Grounds-Derived 236U and 233U: Potential Tracers for Western North Pacific Ocean Dynamics.

236U and 233U are proven to be useful tracers to investigate upper-ocean hydrodynamics due to their source-specific isotopic ratios and conservative behaviors in the open ocean. However, their application in the Pacific Ocean has been limited by scarce observations and unclear source-term information. Here, we present our observations of 236U and 233U in the western North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPStG), showing the presence of a source of anthropogenic U featured by a low 233U/236U ratio (∼1 × 10-3), which is an order of magnitude lower than the global fallout signature (∼2 × 10-2). The analyses of soil from the tropical Pacific atolls confirmed that this anthropogenic U originates from thermonuclear weapon tests conducted at the Pacific Proving Grounds (PPG). We further estimated that PPG tests released at least 50 kg of 236U and 48 g of 233U into the Equatorial North Pacific Ocean in the mid-to-late 1950s. After 70 years of redistribution, the PPG-derived U has become the predominant contributor (∼70%) to the 236U inventory in the western NPStG. This work's findings highlight the potential of 236U and 233U as paired transient tracers to investigate the advection and mixing processes in the western NPStG, which are absent for the boundary currents currently.

Farmers’ perception of critical land in Jatiyoso and Gempolan Villages, Karanganyar

Abstract Land degradation is influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors, due to human behavioral activities. Studies on land degradation often focus on biophysical aspects and processes. Farmers’ perceptions and knowledge about land degradation are often ignored by researchers. The conservation behavior of farmers towards critical land needs to be studied. The purpose of this study is to analyze the level of farmers’ perceptions of critical land, as well as its influence on conservation actions in Jatiyoso and Gempolan villages, Karanganyar. This research is a quantitative descriptive study using the primary data obtained from the results of a survey of 61 farmer respondents in Jatiyoso and Gempolan Villages, Karanganyar, which was then analyzed by a simple regression analysis. The results of observations on the level of achievement of the respondents regarding the farmers’ perceptions that the land they work on is critically vulnerable is 59%, and the level of achievement of the respondents regarding Conservation Action is 55%. The relationship between farmers’ perceptions of conservation actions can be explained that farmers’ perceptions have a real influence on conservation actions of 63.8%. Further research involving the variables of Learning Experience, Knowledge, and Sense of Responsibility, needs to be carried out to get a comprehensive of Farmer Conservation Behavior on critical land. The strategy to increase the role of farmers in land conservation is to build farmers’ perceptions of critical land so that they are more aware of the threats to critical land, through agricultural extension.

Impact of Temporary Store Closures on Online Sales: Evidence from a Natural Experiment

Problem definition: This paper examines the impact of retail store closures on omnichannel sales and consumer shopping behavior in the context of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. To explain the likelihood of store closure, we develop a novel instrumental variable motivated by varying geopolitical responses across the United States to the pandemic. Methodology/results: Using data from a luxury fashion retailer, we find that when a store is closed, the volume of online orders originating from its location increases by 24%. Furthermore, when the retailer closes 10% of its stores, the omnichannel total sales (offline + online) decrease by 5.5%. Notably, our findings indicate that the online channel enables the retailer to recover 11% of offline sales that would have otherwise been lost because of store closures. We also show that compared with existing e-shoppers, new e-shoppers are more likely to order popular product models in an effort to mitigate the heightened mismatch risk associated with online transactions. For new e-shoppers, the likelihood of ordering a popular model stands at 70%, whereas it is 45% for existing online consumers. Additionally, the conservative behavior of favoring popular models reduces the likelihood of returns by new e-shoppers. Managerial implications: Even for luxury apparel, which is often associated with in-store purchases requiring “touch and feel” and customer tryout, the option to purchase online proves immensely valuable. The tendency of new e-shoppers to limit product mismatch risk by choosing popular products may create an opportunity for retailers to strategically target these inexperienced online customers with advertisements, product promotions, or virtual fitting rooms, all geared toward reducing online shopping risk of product mismatch. Supplemental Material: The online appendix is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/msom.2022.0527 .

Factors and paths influencing students’ low-carbon behavior

The study of low-carbon behavior is significant for coping with climate change, resource conservation, environmental protection, sustainable development, and social behavior. Many factors affect low-carbon behaviors. Through investigation and analysis, the five factors of educational measures, low-carbon knowledge, economic measures, low-carbon awareness, and herd mentality were found to significantly influence low-carbon behavior. College students were selected as the research subjects using structural equation modelling methods. This work aims to study the impact of these five factors on low-carbon behavior. The results show that (1) low-carbon awareness has the most direct and significant effect on low-carbon behavior; (2) economic measures and low-carbon knowledge have a direct positive impact on low-carbon behavior; and (3) educational measures and herd mentality show only indirect effects. The theoretical model framework proposed in this study provides a reference for research on the low-carbon behaviors of other groups. In addition, some suggestions are proposed to promote the low-carbon behavior of college students: (1) establish a good low-carbon campus culture; (2) formulate reasonable low-carbon economic incentive measures; and (3) strengthen the publicity and popularization of low-carbon education and knowledge.

Validation of energy conservation behaviour for Malaysia university students using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis

Given the increasing urgency of addressing global environmental challenges, research on energy conservation in educational settings is critical. University students represent a significant demographic with the potential to drive behavioural change and promote sustainable practices. By understanding and influencing their energy conservation behaviours, this research contributes to the broader efforts to mitigate environmental impact and foster a culture of sustainability. This study aims to validate the Environment Conservation Behavioural Survey (ECOBS), an instrument designed to assess university students' behaviours and intentions regarding energy conservation, through the lens of the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB). The ECOBS model integrates five key variables: behaviour, intention, perceived behavioural control, environmental education, and attitude. Initially, a pilot study with 150 respondents was conducted, followed by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) using SPSS. Subsequently, primary data were collected from 400 respondents and analysed using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in AMOS. The findings confirm that the ECOBS instrument meets the stringent criteria for convergent, construct, and discriminant validity, as well as reliability, demonstrating its robustness in evaluating students' intentions and behaviours towards energy conservation. The validated ECOBS instrument not only identifies key predictors of energy conservation behaviours but also offers practical insights for stakeholders aiming to enhance such behaviours among students. The rigorous validation process underscores the ECOBS instrument's value as a reliable and valid tool for measuring and promoting energy conservation behaviours in educational settings. This instrument can serve as a foundation for future studies, contributing to the development of targeted interventions that foster sustainable behaviours among university students.

Studying how AI-Driven Social Media Campaigns can be used to Promote Awareness of educational Programs, School Enrollment, Public Health Education, or Environmental Education

This research study will examine how social media campaigns by artificial intelligence are influencing education, public health, and environmental conservation awareness and behavior change. The sample for this research was 450 teachers from the Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) province, and the data were analyzed through correlation analysis, regression analysis, and ANOVA to check the impact of campaign engagement across all demographic factors. The outcomes established significant positive correlations between engagements in AI-driven social media advertisements for the educational programmes, public health education, and environmental behaviors. Further, regression analysis indicated that increased engagement on these campaigns had a significant impact on behavior change such as improved public health behaviors, school enrollment, and environmental practices. The ANOVA results revealed that demographic factors-which include age, gender, and location-influence the effectiveness of AI-driven campaigns in driving the mentioned changes. The findings of this study show that AI-driven interventions are capable of changing behavior and increasing awareness within key societal areas, and the results call for more personalized campaigns according to the respective demographic profiles. It supports the emerging literature in this area of using AI to bring social impact, through education, health, and sustainability.

The Impact of Protective Policies on Farmers’ Black Soil Conservation Behaviors: Empirical Insights from Sanjiang Plain, China

Understanding the logic of farmers’ black soil conservation behaviors and promoting these actions are crucial measures for enhancing soil quality and ensuring national food security. This article uses survey data from 676 farmers in typical black soil areas of the Sanjiang Plain, China, employing binary logistic regression and mediation effect models to empirically examine the impact of protective policies on farmers’ black soil conservation behaviors and the mediating effect of their perceptions. The results indicate: (1) Protective policies have a significant positive effect on farmers’ black soil conservation behaviors. (2) Farmers’ perception of black soil conservation plays a crucial mediating role in the impact of policy guidance on conservation behaviors. Protective policy not only directly influences farmers’ behaviors but also indirectly promotes conservation actions by shaping farmers’ sense of responsibility and awareness of obligations. (3) There are variations in the mediating effects of farmers’ cognition based on different types of cultivated land and operational scales. Therefore, efforts should be made to strengthen the promotion and implementation of black soil protection policies and subsidies to enhance the sustainability and effectiveness of conservation practices. Greater emphasis should be placed on policy advocacy to raise farmers’ sense of responsibility and awareness of the importance of black soil conservation. Additionally, the diverse needs of different types of farming households should be considered, and a range of measures should be implemented to encourage active participation in black soil conservation.

Motivational drivers and the effectiveness of conservation incentives

The debate about how external incentives (e.g., payments for ecosystem services) and internal motivations (e.g., intrinsic values) interact in producing conservation outcomes is still unresolved. This paper examines the role of personal values (biospheric and egoistic) as intrinsic motivational drivers for conservation and their potential to affect conditional payments to enhance conservation behavior. We used a lab-in-the-field experiment with rural farmers in two ecological corridors of Tanzania to assess their conservation behavior under two payment modalities, namely a fixed individual payment and a fixed individual payment with an agglomeration bonus. In addition, a post-experiment survey was conducted to determine the levels of personal value endorsement for each individual participant. We consistently found that biospheric values increased conservation behavior, while egoistic values decreased it. The positive effect of biospheric values was higher than the negative effect of egoistic values. Both payments do not seem to affect the conservation behavior of farmers with high biospheric value endorsement. Heterogeneity in personal values thus likely has economic implications for the design of real-world PES schemes. Our results suggest that educational investments in training future generations of farmers with strong pro-environmental values can reduce future pressure on the environment and the costs of associated policy action. Areas for further research are discussed.

Current Knowledge on Craniodental Anatomy and Dental Pathology in Golden Snub‐Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana): A Comparative Review

ABSTRACTThe Sichuan golden snub‐nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is a rare and endangered species endemic to China that occupies a particularly important position in the evolutionary history of Rhinopithecus species. Oral health is a crucial aspect of overall well‐being in both humans and nonhuman primates. We review the current limited literature on the dental characteristics and dental pathologies related to the golden snub‐nosed monkey, based on skeleton data and morphological evidence. The results indicated that this species possesses dental characteristics that are remarkably different from that of other primates such as larger‐sized molars with blunt cusp crests, tiny incisor teeth, and strong mandibles with well‐developed masticatory muscles. From limited research, dental diseases include caries, periodontal diseases, tooth loss, tooth wear, and other diseases, which can be found in most primates, including golden snub‐nosed monkeys. In conclusion, these physiological features have gradually adapted to different environments to meet the requirements of their function. Understanding the tooth characteristics and dental health status of R. roxellana can provide valuable insights into their evolutionary history, dietary habits, and overall health, which is of great significance for the conservation of the entire population. An epidemiological survey and safe and effective inspection methods of the dental health of golden snub‐nosed monkeys should be conducted to facilitate conservation behaviors that presented in the future. It is also recommended that zoos link diet and dental health to improve animal welfare.

Factors Influencing Forest Resource Conservation Behavior of the Youth in Northern Uplands, Lao People’s Democratic Republic

The government of Laos has made significant efforts to halt deforestation and promote forest conservation in the Northern Uplands of Laos. However, there is no comprehensive assessment of the initiatives and factors that influence youth involvement in forest resource conservation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify sustainable forest management practices and factors affecting youth behaviors related to forest conservation. Methodologically, our study was conducted in three districts, covering 15 villages, with 330 youths who were selected by systematic sampling to participate in structured interviews, statistically using multiple regressions to identify factors influencing sustainable forest management behaviors. The results indicated that conservation knowledge and recognition are associated with demographic and socioeconomic factors, especially education. Factors related to forest conservation recognition included the amount of information available, gender, monthly income, land ownership, and distance from the forest to home. Most households rely on forest products for their livelihoods. It is concluded that higher levels of education provide people with more job opportunities, which improves their job status and quality of life. Community members who received relevant information were more forward-thinking in their forest management behaviors and willing to contribute to related activities. The empirical evidence indicated that providing essential information to young people can help improve sustainable forest management behaviors.

Validity and Reliability Study of the Turkish Form of the Pro-Nature Conservation Behavior Scale

Objective: This study aims to adapt the Pro-Nature Conservation Behavior Scale, which was developed to identify pro-nature conservation behaviors, into Turkish. Method: For the validity and reliability study, 371 participants were included in the study. The suitability of the scale for Turkish culture was tested with Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Results: The scale, which consists of 18 items in total, has 4 sub-dimensions (Individual engagement, planting, collective engagement , wildlife). Overall Cronbach Alpha internal consistency coefficient of the scale was .85; .73 for the individual engagement factor, .86 for the planting factor, .71 for the collective engagement factor and .61 for the wildlife factor, and convergent validity was supported by positive correlations with the Environmental Behavior Scale, the New Ecological Paradigm Scale, the Generalized Self-Esteem Scale and the Warnick-Edinburg Mental Well-Being Scale. Conclusion: Pro-Nature Conservation Behavior Scale is a valid and reliable measurement tool that can be used in Türkiye.

Leveraging Loss Aversion and Self-Efficacy: The Role of Water Pricing and Risk in Driving Individual Innovation for Sustainable Water Consumption

Water scarcity is a growing global challenge, requiring effective management strategies to ensure sustainable water use, particularly in regions like West Dorset, U.K., where rising prices and environmental pressures make sustainable consumption practices essential. This study develops and empirically tests an integrated theoretical framework combining Prospect Theory (PT) and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) to examine the mechanisms driving household water conservation. Using structural equation modelling on data from 429 residents in West Dorset (response rate 78.3%), we investigated how water pricing (WP) and perceived water risk (PWR) influence sustainable water consumption through individual innovativeness (II) and community engagement (CE), with environmental regulations (ERs) as a moderator. The results revealed significant positive effects of WP and PWR on individual innovativeness, which, in turn, strongly predicted community engagement. The relationship between these factors and sustainable water consumption was significantly moderated by ERs. This study makes three key contributions: Firstly, it empirically validates an integrated PT-SCT framework in water conservation behavior. Secondly, it identifies the crucial mediating role of II in translating price and risk perceptions into community action; and lastly, it demonstrates how regulatory frameworks can enhance or inhibit conservation outcomes. These findings inform policy recommendations for tiered pricing structures, community-based conservation initiatives, and adaptive regulatory frameworks. This study provides a comprehensive model for understanding and promoting sustainable water consumption in water-stressed regions worldwide.

Virtual reality is only mildly effective in improving forest conservation behaviors

Virtual Reality (VR) enables immersive experiences that can enhance awareness about environmental problems. We measure the effectiveness of VR versus 2D in an environmental campaign using a field experiment in Brazil. 617 passers-by at a mall were randomly assigned to watch a video clip about the Amazon Forest through VR or a traditional 2D device, with some being randomly interviewed before watching the movie (control group). We find that both the 2D and VR interventions increase individuals’ propensity to (i) contribute to an Amazonian humanitarian campaign, (ii) share contact information, (iii) interact with a conservation campaign, and (iv) state pro-conservation opinions. We find no additional impact of VR compared to 2D, but VR participants were more likely to engage with pro-conservation content online 3 months later. Our findings provide cautionary evidence about the additional potential of using immersive technologies, like VR, to improve conservation behaviors compared to 2D methods.