Open AccessFarmer Perceptions and Behaviors Related to Wildlife and On‐Farm Conservation Actions
Author(s) -
Kross Sara M.,
Ingram Katherine P.,
Long Rachael F.,
Niles Meredith T.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12364
Subject(s) - wildlife , outreach , wildlife conservation , agroforestry , ecosystem services , habitat , business , wildlife management , environmental resource management , geography , ecosystem , environmental planning , ecology , biology , environmental science , economics , economic growth
Abstract Policy makers are increasingly encouraging farmers to protect or enhance habitat on their farms for wildlife conservation. However, a lack of knowledge of farmers’ opinions toward wildlife can lead to poor integration of conservation measures. We surveyed farmers to assess their perceptions of ecosystem services and disservices from perching birds, raptors, and bats—three taxa commonly targeted by conservation measures. The majority of farmers thought that perching birds and bats were beneficial for insect pest control and that raptors were beneficial for vertebrate pest control; however, fruit farmers viewed perching birds more negatively than did farmers growing other crops. Farmers using organic methods viewed all three wildlife groups more positively than conventional farmers. Farmer perception toward each wildlife group predicted their action to either attract or deter those taxa, suggesting the need to focus research and outreach on the effects of wildlife on farms for conservation programs to positively influence farmer perceptions.