Motivations for rule compliance in support of forest health: Replication and extension

Forest health is an important aspect of sustainable forest management. The practical significance of health assessments of forest ecosystems is becoming more and more prominent because good knowledge about the health level of forests and the causes of unhealthy forests enables the identification of proper actions for enhancing sustainable development of forest ecosystems. This paper evaluated the health status of the forest ecosystem of Mount Taishan using the spatial analysis technique of GIS (Geographic Information System) and local forest inventory data. A comprehensive indicator system that reflects the health status of forestsin the study areawas established. Based on this indicator system, the health level of each sub-compartment of the forests in the study area was assessed. The results show that the high-quality grade forest (80.4 ha) and healthy grade forest (2671 ha) accounted for only 23.5% of the total forest area of Mount Taishan. About 60.5% of Mount Taishan forest was in a sub-health status. The area of unhealthy forests was 1865 ha (accounting for 16% of the total forest area), of which about 98 ha was inextremely unhealthy conditions.Asmore than two-thirds of the forests in Mount Taishan are in a sub-health or unhealthy state, effective measures for improving forest health are in urgent need in the study area.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mount Taishan Forest Ecosystem Health Assessment Based on Forest Inventory Data

Meng

Cao

Dong

et al. 2019

“…Several surveys of campers in Wisconsin were conducted as part of the 'Don't move firewood' campaign to understand their knowledge and views of the risks of moving firewood and motivations to change behaviors. Results from the surveys suggest there were positive changes in people's behaviors and that mild regulation coupled with persuasive education was successful in reducing the movement of firewood [66,67]. The studies also found that perceived peer pressure and disapproval from close social groups such as friends and family could influence whether people actively moved firewood [68].…”

Section: Engage In Early Outreach Involving Stakeholders In Decisionmentioning

confidence: 93%

Lessons from the Frontline: Exploring How Stakeholders May Respond to Emerald Ash Borer Management in Europe

Marzano

Hall

Dandy

et al. 2020

Self Cite

The emerald ash borer (EAB) has caused extensive damage and high mortality to native ash trees (Fraxinus; sp.) in North America. As European countries battle with the deadly pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus (ash dieback) affecting European ash (Fraxinus excelsior), there is concern that the arrival of EAB will signal the demise of this much-loved tree. While Europe prepares for EAB it is vital that we understand the social dimensions that will likely influence the social acceptability of potential management measures, and experiences from the USA can potentially guide this. We draw on differing sources including a literature review, documentary analysis, and consultation with key informants from Chicago and the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. In this paper, we focus on EAB management responses that involve chemical applications, tree felling and replanting, and biological control, and assess their likely social acceptability to stakeholders based on the perceived risks and benefits. Benefits involve protecting specific ash trees and slowing the spread of EAB across the landscape. Risks include collateral harm from insecticide use on human and environmental health, financial costs and liabilities, and the effectiveness of each approach. Biological control and replacing ash with other species are likely to be largely acceptable across contexts and stakeholder groups but pre-emptive felling and insecticide application could be more problematic if seeking widespread social acceptance. Based on our observations from the evidence collected we offer suggestions for approaching EAB management in Europe with a focus on improving prospects of social acceptability. Strong engagement will be necessary to establish the relevance and reason for using different management approaches and to build awareness and trust.

“…Understanding motivations for environmental behavior is essential to the design of effective regulations and in persuading the public to take desired voluntary actions. A comprehensive discussion of motivations is beyond the scope of this report and may be accessed in our previous work [1,2]. Briefly, our awareness-building and persuasion efforts sought to leverage three types of motivation, the first being normative motivation.…”

Section: Conceptual Basismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Previous research has shown that calculated motivations related to firewood availability at home, and to price, quality, convenience, and reliability differentials between at-home and at-campground firewood are also important, and have often worked counter to education and outreach efforts [1,3]. Specifically, some campers believe that firewood supplied at or near state parks and forests are lower in quality, higher priced, inconvenient, and/or unreliable when compared with wood from home, which is often free or already paid for, selected by the camper (so its quality is known), and readily at hand; therefore, they tend to bring firewood from home on camping trips.…”

Section: Calculated Motivationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reducing Firewood Movement by the Public: Use of Survey Data to Assess and Improve Efficacy of a Regulatory and Educational Program, 2006–2015

Diss-Torrance

Peterson

Robinson

2018

Self Cite

This paper describes a program of policy management and research from 2006 through 2015. It focuses on regulator efforts to understand and address challenges presented by dispersal of forest diseases and invasive pests in firewood by the camping public. Five surveys conducted at two-year intervals informed these efforts. The first survey in 2006 benchmarked campers' awareness of forest threats by invasive species, their evaluations of firewood supplied at and near Wisconsin state parks, and their compliance with firewood movement rules which had been implemented that year. The 2008 survey tested for improvements in awareness and compliance and investigated campers' motivations. The motivation research showed that calculated, normative, and social motivations are all important to rule compliance in the camping context. Surveys in 2010, 2012, and 2014 confirmed these results and guided education and outreach efforts, adjustments to firewood movement rules for Wisconsin state parks and forests, and improvements to firewood supplies at state campgrounds. The survey sequence as a whole revealed that: (1) compliance improves dramatically in early program years and then levels off, suggesting that it may be unrealistic and cost ineffective to strive for 100% compliance in similar regulatory contexts; (2) persistence in messaging is important in building awareness and motivation; and (3) regulation and persuasion based on motivational principles can extend beyond specific situations where informing and regulating take place, suggesting that public properties can be useful venues for encouraging other types of environmentally responsible behavior.