Conformity and tradition are more important than environmental values in constraining resource overharvest

Abstract

We present the results of a hybrid research design that borrows from both experimental techniques-experimental games-and observational techniques-surveys-to examine the relationships between basic human values and exposure to natural ecosystems, on the one hand, and collective action for resource governance, on the other. We initially hypothesize that more frequent exposure to forests, and more pro-environmental values will be associated with more conservation action. However, we find that other values-tradition and conformity-are more important than pro-environmental values or exposure to nature. Our results imply that resource governance is likely to be more successful where resource users hold values that facilitate cooperation, not necessarily strong pro-environmental values.

Published in

PLoS ONE
2023, Volume: 18, number: 2, article number: e0272366Publisher: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

SLU Authors

• Salk, Carl

  • Southern Swedish Forest Research Centre, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE)

UKÄ Subject classification

Environmental Sciences related to Agriculture and Land-use


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0272366

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122148