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Research article - Peer-reviewed, 2023

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

Wright, Glenn; Salk, Carl; Magnuszewski, Piotr; Stefanska, Joanna; Andersson, Krister; Benavides, Jean Paul; Chazdon, Robin; Zerriffi, Hisham

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: e0272366
Publisher: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE

    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