Public attitudes toward restoration of impaired river ecosystems: Does residents’ attachment to place matter?

Abstract

Current knowledge about the nature and the degree of support for ecosystem restoration among residents is limited because of a lack of understanding of public attitudes and perceptions toward natural resources. Public perceptions are critical in designing and implementing any ecosystem restoration program. This study explores the relationship between public attitudes and ecosystem restoration, with a specific focus on identifying the role of place attachment in public attitudes. Using the Buriganga River of Dhaka City as a case study, the relationship between residents' attitude towards river ecosystem restoration and the effects of various domains of place attachment on their willingness to engage in its protection and restoration are examined. This study has found that residents' attitudes toward ecosystem restoration do vary with regard to particular measures of proximity to resources, their length of residence in the area and their depth of experience with the place. The findings of this study are useful for targeting education and awareness programs, setting priorities and in shaping policies for restoring degraded waterways.

Public Awareness of the Relation between Nature-friendly Watercourse Modifications and Recreation in Cities

“…Alam (2011) states that current knowledge about public opinions on the revitalisation of rivers is inadequate and biased due to lack of awareness expertise of respondents.…”

Learning from agri-environment schemes in Australia: Investing in biodiversity and other ecosystem services on farms

“…Therefore, restoration efforts require an understanding of community values and preferences, which are highly context-dependent (Shindler et al 2011) and should necessitate a participatory process to identify goals and aspirations for the site (Schaich 2009;Schultz et al 2012). For example, Alam (2011) found that people's willingness to pay for restoration of a river in Bangladesh varies with their proximity to resources, their length of residence in the area, and their depth of experience with the area. In Japan, Mitani et al (2008) found that individuals with strong environmental attitudes, a history of past visitation, and high income are more likely to prefer restoration projects to the status quo.…”

Restoring ecosystem services on private farmlands: Lessons from economics

“…Therefore, restoration efforts require an understanding of community values and preferences, which are highly context-dependent (Shindler et al 2011) and should necessitate a participatory process to identify goals and aspirations for the site (Schaich 2009;Schultz et al 2012). For example, Alam (2011) found that people's willingness to pay for restoration of a river in Bangladesh varies with their proximity to resources, their length of residence in the area, and their depth of experience with the area. In Japan, Mitani et al (2008) found that individuals with strong environmental attitudes, a history of past visitation, and high income are more likely to prefer restoration projects to the status quo.…”