Gaining public engagement to restore coral reef ecosystems in the face of acute crisis

No Thumbnail Available
File version
Author(s)
Le, Jenny Dung
Becken, Susanne
Curnock, Matt
Griffith University Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Other Supervisors
Editor(s)
Date
2022
Size
File type(s)
Location
License
Abstract

The twin crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change make it urgent to find ways of restoring natural ecosystems, including coral reefs. Methods for coral reef restoration are rapidly advancing, bringing with them a range of potential risks and opportunities. Attention to public engagement in the governance of such activities therefore becomes critical. This research examines public attitudinal and behavioral engagement in ‘traditional’ coral restoration projects in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area (i.e. coral gardening at relatively small scales). Grounded on dual-process decision-making and trust theories, rational factors (i.e., perceived benefits), emotions (i.e., hope and guilt) and trust are conceptually three main determinants of public engagement in ecological restoration. We used a mixed-method approach, including 63 individual interviews and a follow-up survey with 1585 participants, to clarify the roles of these psychological factors in motivating public engagement in current coral restoration projects. Trust was found to be the most important factor influencing public acceptance (i.e., attitudinal engagement) of coral restoration, while the emotion of guilt was the most influential factor affecting public support (i.e., behavioral engagement). Therefore, when advocating for conservation projects, different campaigns could be implemented with: (1) positive messages of hope and trust to gain public acceptance for government-funded restoration projects and (2) messages highlighting individual responsibility to motivate behavioral support to scale up restoration projects.

Journal Title

Global Environmental Change

Conference Title
Book Title
Edition
Volume

74

Issue
Thesis Type
Degree Program
School
Publisher link
Patent number
Funder(s)
Grant identifier(s)
Rights Statement
Rights Statement
Item Access Status
Note
Access the data
Related item(s)
Subject

Environmental management

Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology)

Climate change impacts and adaptation

Conservation and biodiversity

Science & Technology

Social Sciences

Life Sciences & Biomedicine

Environmental Sciences

Environmental Studies

Persistent link to this record
Citation

Le, JD; Becken, S; Curnock, M, Gaining public engagement to restore coral reef ecosystems in the face of acute crisis, Global Environmental Change, 2022, 74, pp. 102513

Collections