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E  N V I R O N M E N TA L P  E R C E P T I O N S

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What Is It?

polls of the general population. However, due to the

remoteness of much of the MAR region and the fact

The term environmental perceptions refers to the

that poor people do not often have easy access to

way people perceive, understand and value the

phones or the Internet, most areas require face-to-

environment. These perceptions and values can be

face survey interviews. Survey methods must be

considered within the framework of the individual,

carefully designed to determine adequate sample

the community, a stakeholder or other demographic

size, and follow procedures for obtaining randomized

group, and over time. In the context of this Guide, the

or representative samples (depending on which is

term refers specifically to perceptions of the MAR

desired). Ideally, surveys should abide by general

marine environment.

sampling protocols agreed to among a range of

regional organizations involved in collecting such

Why Do We Measure It?

Why

surveys32.

Environmental managers rarely actually manage the

Focus groups or other group consultation methods are

environment since most ecological processes are

also frequently used by development and conservation

outside their direct control. Instead, they more often

agencies to gauge stakeholder perceptions and

manage human behavior, normally in an effort to

preferences. Unlike surveys, these methods do

avoid some negative environmental consequence.

not provide data that allow for rigorous statistical

Good quality data on the perceptions of different

comparison of attitudes in large populations over

stakeholder groups are important for effectively

different time periods.  However, when conducted

managing human behavior because they provide

appropriately, these more qualitative approaches can

information on stakeholder knowledge regarding

provide very rich and detailed information regarding

conservation issues and the potential for support,

perceptions of different stakeholder groups and are

conflict or apathy in achieving conservation goals.

especially valuable for obtaining a more detailed

Managers and conservationists also need to engage

understanding of the rationale behind different

the public and increase their awareness of the status,

opinions.  These group consultation methods are

threats and importance of protecting the marine

therefore useful as stand-alone activities or as

environment.

complements to surveys to obtain perception-related

information.

Since the 1997 Tulum Declaration, local, regional and

international conservation efforts have increased

Usefulness

Usefulness

in the MAR region. Many of these efforts include

some aspect of community or stakeholder outreach

It is important for managers, decision-makers

designed to strengthen the public support required to

and conservation organizations to understand the

achieve long-lasting conservation success. Traditional

perceptions, values, and knowledge of various

natural resource harvesters in the MAR region

communities and stakeholder groups in order to tailor

have a long history of traditional knowledge and

conservation and education messages appropriate to

management of the environment, and that knowledge

the groups' needs and interests. Without an informed

may make them more sensitive to issues related to

and supportive public, lasting and environmentally

marine conservation. However, modern trends toward

beneficial policies are unlikely.

increased urbanization can also bring new immigrants

Perceptions of different use groups can differ greatly

and leaders with development aspirations that do not

among stakeholders (e.g., fishermen versus tourist

necessarily coincide with the goals and perceptions

guides versus business people) and within the same

of traditional groups regarding local environmental

group (e.g., trap fishers versus free divers). Even within

stewardship.

a single stakeholder or demographic group, opposing

Environmental perceptions can be determined by

viewpoints may confound generalized perceptions

using a variety of opinion survey techniques aimed

(e.g., mangrove forests may be perceived by some in

at measuring the public's concerns, values, and

the tourism industry as mosquito-breeding swamps in

understanding of environmental issues. In areas

need of infilling ­ while others in the same industry

with adequate infrastructure, techniques can involve

may see them as valuable natural assets for shoreline

using randomized telephone, mail or Internet-based

protection and flood control, providing essential fish

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