Direct Contact with Nature and Online Perspective: Does it Make a Difference in Environmental Attitudes Regarding the Nature Conservation Challenges in Serbia?

  • Vladimir Stojanović Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Maja Mijatov Ladičorbić Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Lazar Lazić Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Milana Pantelić Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Sanja Obradović Strålman Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
  • Aleksandra S. Dragin Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Serbia
Keywords: environmental attitudes, local communities, visitors, stakeholders, direct contact, online

Abstract


Attitudes towards environment are important for organizing nature protection, especially in countries undergoing political and economic transition. In this paper, attitudes of visitors, local communities and stakeholders towards the environment and nature protection are researched online and within the Special Nature Reserve and surroundings settlements. Data were obtained on the basis of the survey research as part of the 'LIFE WILDisland' project. Additionally, this paper was focused on comparing the attitudes of respondents between those who were in direct contact with nature and those who responded online. Gained results showed that respondents who were in direct contact with nature have more intensive interactions with it and have a good understanding of conservation-restoration measures. Both groups of respondents support nature protection activities.

References

Abukari, H., & Mwalyosi, B. R. (2020). Local communities’ perceptions about the impact of protected areas on livelihoods and community development. Global Ecology and Conservation, 22, e00909. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2020.e00909

Angwenyi, D., Potgieter, M., & Gambiza, J. (2021). Community perceptions towards nature conservation in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Nature Conservation, 43, 41–53. https://doi.org/10.3897/natureconservation.43.57935

Baierl, T. M., & Bogner, F. X. (2023). How Should We Teach Nature Protection? Self-Determination and Environmental Attitudes. Education Sciences, 13(4), 353. https://doi.org/ 10.3390/educsci13040353

Baldi, G. (2020). Nature protection across countries: Do size and power matter? Journal for Nature Conservation, 56, 125860. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnc.2020.125860

Ballouard, J. M., Brischoux, F., & Bonnet, X. (2011). Children prioritize virtual exotic biodiversity over local biodiversity. PloS One, 6(8), e23152. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0023152

Bennett, F., A., Haslem, A., Cheal, C., D., Clarke, F., M., Jones, N. R., Koehn, D. J., Lake, S., P., Lumsden, F. L., Lunt, D. I., Mackey, G. B., Nally, R. M., Menkhorst, W. P., New, R. T., Newell, R. G., O’Hara, T., Quinn, P. G., Radford, Q. J., Robinson, D., Watson, J., & Yen, L. A. (2009). Ecological processes: A key element in strategies for nature conservation. Ecological Management & Restoration, 10(3), 192-199. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00489.x

Brankov, J., Micić, J., Ćalić, J., Kovačević-Majkić, J., Milanović, R., & Telbisz, T. (2022). Stakeholders’ Attitudes toward Protected Areas: The Case of Tara National Park (Serbia). Land, 11(4), 468. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040468

Brown, T. J., Ham, S. H., & Hughes, M. (2010). Picking up litter: an application of theory-based communication to influence tourist behaviour in protected areas. Journal of Sustainable Tourism, 18(7), 879-900. https://doi.org/10.1080/09669581003721281

Cheung, L., & Fok, L. (2013). The motivations and environmental attitudes of nature-based visitors to protected areas in Hong Kong. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 21(1), 28-38. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2013.832711

Dawson, N. M., Coolsaet, B., Sterling, E. J., Loveridge, R., Gross-Camp, N. D., Wongbusarakum, S., Sangha, K. K., Scherl, L. M., Phuong Phan, H., Zafra-Calvo, N., Lavey, W. G., Byakagaba, P., Idrobo, C. J., Chenet, A., Bennett, N. J., Mansourian, S., & Rosado-May, F.J. (2021). The role of Indigenous peoples and local communities in effective and equitable conservation. Ecology and Society, 26(3), 19. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-12625-260319

de Oliveira, A. C. R., Santos, G. E. de O., & Santos Lobo, H. A. (2021). Environmental Attitudes and Tourist Satisfaction in Overloaded Natural Protected Areas. Journal of Travel Research, 60(8), 1667-1676. https://doi.org/10.1177/0047287520957419

Engen, S., Fauchald, & Pausner, V. (2019). Stakeholders’ perceptions of protected area management following a nationwide community-based conservation reform. PLoS ONE, 14(4), e0215437. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0215437

Fotsing, E., Kamkeng, M., & Zinner, D. (2024). Opinions, attitudes and perceptions of local people towards the conservation of Nigeria-Cameroon chimpanzees in Mpem-Djim National Park, central Cameroon. People and Nature, 6(2), 865-881. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10621

Freudenberger, L., Hobson, P., Schluck, M., Kreft, S., Vohland, K., Sommer, H., Reichle, S., Nowicki, C., Barthlott, W., & Ibisch, P. (2013). Nature conservation: priority-setting needs a global change. Biodiversity Conservation, 22, 1255–1281. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-012-0428-6

Fromont C, Blanco J, Culas C, Pannier E, Razafindrakoto M, Roubaud F, & Carrière, M. S. (2022). Towards an inclusive nature conservation initiative: Preliminary assessment of stakeholders’ representations about the Makay region, Madagascar. PLoS One, 17(8), e0272223. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272223

Gatiso, T. T., Kulik, L., Bachmann, M., Bonn, A., Bösch, L., Freytag, A., Heurich, M., Wesche, K., Winter, M., Ordaz-Németh, I., Sop, T., & Kühl, H. S. (2022). Sustainable protected areas: Synergies between biodiversity conservation and socioeconomic development. People and Nature, 4(4), 893–903. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10326

Ghazvini, D. J. Timothy, J. & Sarmento, J. (2020). Environmental concerns and attitudes of tourists towards national park uses and services. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 31, 100296. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2020.100296

Gifford, R., & Sussman, R., (2012). Environmental Attitudes. In Clayton D. S. (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Environmental and Conservation Psychology (pp. 1-33). Oxford: Oxford Library of Psychology.

Guerrero, A. M., Bennett, N. J., Wilson, K. A., Carter, N., Gill, D., Mills, M., Ives, C. D., Selinske, M. J., Larrosa, C., Bekessy, S., Januchowski-Hartley, F. A., Travers, H., Wyborn, C. A., & Nuno, A. (2018). Achieving the promise of integration in social-ecological research: A review and prospectus. Ecology and Society, 23(3), 38. https://doi.org/10.5751/es-10232-230338

Guo, X., Huang, Z., Bai, Y., Lian, Y., Yang, W., Lu, X., Shi, W., Wu, N., & Turi, M. A. (2024). The cooperative development relationship between nature reserves and local communities. Integrative Conservation, 4(2), 187-200. https://doi.org/10.1002/inc3.33

He, X., & Wei, H. (2023). Biodiversity conservation and ecological value of protected areas: A review of current situation and future prospects. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 11, 1261265. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2023.1261265

Hofferth, S. L. (2009). Changes in American children’s time–1997 to 2003. Electronic International Journal of Time Use Research, 6(1), 26-47. https://doi.org/10.13085%2Feijtur.6.1.26-47

Holmes, G. (2013). Exploring the relationship between local support and the success of protected areas. Conservation and Society, 11(1), 72–82. https://doi.org/10.4103/0972-4923.110940

Hornoiu, R. I., Padurean, M. A., Nica, A. M., & Maha, L. G. (2014). Tourism Consumpion Behavior in Natural Protected Areas. Amfiteatru Economic Journal, 16(8), 1178-1190. https://hdl.handle.net/10419/168885

Ihemezie, E. J., Nawrath, M., Starus, L., Stringer, C. L., & Dallimer, M. (2021). The influence of human values on attitudes and behaviours towards forest conservation. Journal of Environmental Management, 292, 112857. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112857

IUCN (2004). Indigenous and Local Communities and Protected Areas towards Equity and Enhanced Conservation. Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Jones, N., Graziano, M., & Dimitrakopoulos P. (2020). Social impacts of European Protected Areas and policy recommendations. Environmental Science & Policy, 112, 134-140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2020.06.004

Karanth, K. K., Kramer, R., A., Qian, S. S., & Christensen, L. N. (2008). Examining conservation attitudes, perspectives, and challenges in India. Biological Conservation, 141(9), 2357-2367. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2008.06.027

Leung, Y.-F., Spenceley, A., Hvenegaard, G., & Buckley, R. (2018). Tourism and visitor management in protected areas: Guidelines for sustainability. Best Practice Protected Area Guidelines Series (No. 27). Gland, Switzerland: International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Liu, J., Ouyang, Z., & Miao, H. (2010). Environmental attitudes of stakeholders and their perceptions regarding protected area-community conflicts: A case study in China. Journal of Environmental Management, 91(11), 2254-2262. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.06.007

Ma, H., Zhang, D., Xiao, L., Wang, Y., Zhang, L., Thompson, C., Chen, J., Dowell, S., Axmacher C., J., Zhi, L.Ü., & Turvey, S.T. (2022). Integrating biodiversity conservation and local community perspectives in China through human dimensions research. People and Nature, 4(6), 1461–1474. https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10408

Macharia, J.M., Thenya, T., & Ndiritu, G.G. (2010). Management of highland wetlands in central Kenya: The importance of community education, awareness and eco-tourism in biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity, 11(1), 85–90. https://doi.org/10.1080/14888386. 2010.9712652

Mannetti, L. M., Göttert, T., Zeller, U., & Esler, K. J. (2019). Identifying and categorizing stakeholders for protected area expansion around a national park in Namibia. Ecology and Society, 24(2), 5. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10790-240205

Pisani, D., Pazienza, P., Perrino, E.V., Caporale, D., & De Lucia, C. (2021). The Economic Valuation of Ecosystem Services of Biodiversity Components in Protected Areas: A Review for a Framework of Analysis for the Gargano National Park. Sustainability, 13(21), 11726. https://doi.org/10.3390/su132111726

Prato, T., & Fagre, D. (2005). National Parks and Protected Areas – Approaches for Balancing Social, Economic and Ecological values. Ames: Blackwell Publishing.

Rodríguez-Darias, A. J., & Díaz-Rodríguez, P. (2023). Some Considerations on the Implications of Protected Areas for Sustainable Development. Sustainability, 15(3), 2767. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15032767

Rodríguez-Rodríguez, D., Ibarra, P., Echeverría, M., & Martínez-Vega, J. (2019). Perceptions, Attitudes and Values of Two Key Stakeholders on the Oldest and Newest Spanish National Parks. Environmental Development and Sustainability, 21, 1053–1073. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-017-0051-5

Sidó Öllös, H. (2019). DANUBEparksCONNECTED – project report, 2017–2019. DANUBEPARKS Network of Protected Areas, Interreg Danube Transnational Programme. Retrieved [22.11.2024.], from https://danubeparks.org

Soga, M., & Gaston, K. J. (2016). Extinction of experience: the loss of human–nature interactions. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 14(2), 94-101. http://hdl.handle.net/10871/18516

Stojanović, V., Pantelić, M., & Savić, S. (2022). Environmental issues in Serbia: Pollution and nature conservation. In E. Manić, V. Nikitović, & P. Djurović (Eds.), The geography of Serbia (pp. 263–277). World Regional Geography Book Series, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-74701-5_20

Thapa, K., Ntanos, S., Kyriakopoulos, G., Skordoulis, M., & Getzner, M. (2024). Visitors’ environmental attitudes and willingness to pay for nature conservation: The case of Langtang National Park in the Himalayas. Global NEST Journal, 26(3), 05717. https://doi.org/10.30955/gnj.005717

Weladji, R., Moe, S., & Vedeld, P. (2003). Stakeholder attitudes towards wildlife policy and the Bénoué Wildlife Conservation Area, North Cameroon. Environmental Conservation, 30(4), 334–343. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0376892903000353

Wells, M., Brandon, K., & Hannah, L. (1992). People and parks: Linking protected area management with local communities. Washington: World bank.

Williams, S., & Lew, A. (2015). Tourism Geography – Critical understandings of place, space and experience. Abingdon: Routledge.

Wolf, I. D., Croft, D. B., & Green, R. J. (2019). Nature Conservation and Nature-Based Tourism: A Paradox? Environments, 6(9), 104. https://doi.org/10.3390/environments6090104

Zhang, W., Goodale, E., & Chen, J. (2014). How contact with nature affects children’s biophilia, biophobia and conservation attitude in China. Biological Conservation, 177, 109-116. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2014.06.011

Published
2024/12/31
Section
Original Research