Data
Data Needs
habitat that supports natural tourist attractions
and seafood availability). Individuals with opposing
Many community-based opinion surveys have been
viewpoints are often unaware of their fundamental
conducted in the MAR, particularly in communities
differences in perceptions. Opinion surveys are useful
in or around protected areas. However, there is no
tools to illuminate such differences and then help
known synthesis of these data or longer-term analysis
guide solutions that accommodate these different
of trends in environmental perceptions. A synthesis
underlying perceptions.
of these various surveys should be conducted, similar
Some have argued that strong environmental
to the work of the Ocean Project, which synthesized
conservation ethics can manifest only after basic
different opinion surveys in the United States33.
economic needs are fulfilled. However, an alternate
A comprehensive MAR-wide survey of public
viewpoint is that people with the least material
perceptions, opinions, values and concerns should
wealth are most directly dependent on natural
be conducted as soon as possible. A core set of 4-5
resources (e.g., utilizing the sea and forest for food
questions should also be established for inclusion in a
and other resources). As noted above, many factors
wide variety of opinion surveys conducted by partner
shape individuals' perceptions and opinions. Without
organizations in the MAR.
solid evidence, broad generalizations regarding
a correlation between socioeconomic status and
Difficulties and future opportunities include:
opinions on specific conservation issues should
be avoided. Surveys of environmental perceptions
· how to compare or combine perception-based
among different demographic groups can help identify
measures of environmental quality with objective
potentially useful patterns in differing viewpoints both
measures of environmental quality, and
within and between groups.
· how to combine general survey results based on
Most important, by tracking key questions on
differing methodologies.
environmental perceptions in the same way over time,
we can monitor the progress of our education and
Environmental perception data should be considered
awareness-raising efforts.
in conjunction with other SW indicator data such as
Poverty (SW4), Economic Contribution of Marine-
Status
Status
related Activities (SW5), as well as ecological indicators
such as Mangrove Areal Extent (S12), Coral Cover (S4)
An opinion poll of over 100 experts and practitioners
and Coral Mortality (F5).
from the Mesoamerican Reef (MAR) ecosystem
region and abroad was conducted in September
2005 by the Healthy Reefs Initiative (see Section
10 Next Steps). The survey covered perceptions on
the prevailing ecological condition of and threats to
the Mesoamerican Reef ecosystem, its value, and
current management efforts. Respondents included
six different stakeholder groups.
Most respondents felt that unsustainable and
unregulated coastal development/tourism was the
greatest threat to the health of the MAR ecosystem,
although agriculture/land pollution was also identified
as a severe threat. Other recognized threats included
global climate change and overfishing. Participants
gave a poor ("some decline") rating for coral reefs,
fisheries, water quality and governance/stewardship.
Social well-being was considered fair ("stable").
Scientists and fishermen, in particular, noted a
significant decline in coral reef ecosystem health,
water quality and fisheries over the last decade, while
tourism operators viewed the coral reef ecosystem
health as stable. NGOs noted a decline in governance
and stewardship, while government participants
considered them stable.
SW
SW
Data Source: 6 in Sections 8-10: Final Section of References
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