Biosecurity Threats: Factors influencing forest visitor responses to biosecurity control measures

Abstract

Exotic species represent a critical threat to protected areas and the fragile ecosystems they contain. Much of this threat comes from human visitors using these protected areas for recreation. Because of legal mandates and the practical difficulties of enforcement, protected area managers often rely on the public’s voluntary cooperation with biosecurity measures to control the spread of exotic species. It is essential, therefore, to understand those whose actions determine the success or failure of biosecurity efforts: the park users themselves. Using a mixed-methods case study involving kauri dieback, a plant pathogen attacking trees in the northern North Island of New Zealand, this research investigates factors influencing protected area visitors’ responses to biosecurity control measures and their compliance with behaviour change requests. Surveys were conducted among 700 visitors at two kauri forest parks in the Auckland region. In addition, 9 visitors participated in semi-structured interviews. Analysis explores the role of knowledge, the role of attitudes, perceived social norms, and perceived behavioural controls, and the role of identities in shaping visitors’ behaviour and responses to management actions. While findings confirm the positive effect of awareness on visitor compliance found in previous research, additional knowledge about the issue is shown to have little influence. Findings also support the strength of measures concerning attitudes, social norms, and perceived controls in describing and predicting visitor behaviour; yet the priority given to these factors varies considerably depending on the context created by identities. Although most aspects of identity show little direct influence on visitors’ responses, how visitors perceive the impacts of the disease and its management on their identities is found to be a pervasive underlying influence that shapes the context in which attitudes and beliefs are weighed. Discussion reflects on the incorporation of identities in the management literature and explores the implications of these findings for future research and strategic management planning. Keywords: biosecurity, protected area, forest users, recreation, behaviour change, identity, attitudes, social norms, behavioural control, kauri dieback