Public awareness and perceptions of invasive alien species in small towns

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dc.contributor.authorJubase, Nolwethuen_ZA
dc.contributor.authorShackleton, Ross T.en_ZA
dc.contributor.authorMeasey, Johnen_ZA
dc.date.accessioned2021-12-22T06:48:55Z
dc.date.available2021-12-22T06:48:55Z
dc.date.issued2021-12-14
dc.descriptionCITATION: Jubase, N., Shackleton, R. T. & Measey, J. 2021. Public awareness and perceptions of invasive alien species in small towns. Biology, 10:1322, doi:10.3390/biology10121322.en_ZA
dc.descriptionThe original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.comen_ZA
dc.description.abstractInvasive alien species (IAS) are a growing threat globally and cause a variety of ecological, economic, and social impacts. People can introduce IAS and facilitate their spread, and can also implement, support, or oppose their management. Understanding local knowledge, awareness, and perceptions are therefore crucial if management and policy are to be effective. We administered questionnaires to members of the public in eight small towns along the Berg River Catchment in the biodiverse fynbos biome of South Africa. We aimed to assess: (1) awareness of IAS by the general public, (2) local perceptions of the impacts associated with IAS, (3) whether awareness of IAS is correlated with demographic covariates and IAS density, and (4) people’s willingness to detect, report, and support IAS management. Overall, 262 respondents participated in the survey. Most respondents (65%) did not know what IAS are, and 10% were unsure. Many respondents also perceived IAS as beneficial. Using a logistic regression, we found that IAS density, educational level, and gender influenced people’s knowledge and perceptions about IAS in the region. There were a small number (4%) of respondents currently detecting and reporting IAS, but many respondents were interested to learn more. We concluded that people living in small towns in the Western Cape of South Africa remain largely unaware of IAS and their impacts. It is crucial to increase awareness-raising initiatives, and build support and engagement in management of IAS in small towns.en_ZA
dc.description.urihttps://www.mdpi.com/2079-7737/10/12/1322
dc.description.versionPublisher's versionen_ZA
dc.format.extent15 pages : illustrations, mapen_ZA
dc.identifier.citationJubase, N., Shackleton, R. T. & Measey, J. 2021. Public awareness and perceptions of invasive alien species in small towns. Biology, 10:1322, doi:10.3390/biology10121322.en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn2079-7737 (online)
dc.identifier.otherdoi:10.3390/biology10121322
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10019.1/123562
dc.language.isoen_ZAen_ZA
dc.publisherMDPIen_ZA
dc.rights.holderAuthors retain copyrighten_ZA
dc.subjectInvasion biologyen_ZA
dc.subjectIntroduced organisms -- Controlen_ZA
dc.subjectEnvironmental educationen_ZA
dc.subjectVolunteer workers in environmental educationen_ZA
dc.subjectWorking for Water Programmeen_ZA
dc.subjectRestoration ecology -- South Africaen_ZA
dc.titlePublic awareness and perceptions of invasive alien species in small townsen_ZA
dc.typeArticleen_ZA
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