Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA
Abstract Coexistence between large carnivores and humans is a global conservation concern. Montana (USA) is home to recovering grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations and increasing human–grizzly interactions. In 2019, we administered a survey of Montanans to investigate factors influencing normativ...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wiley
2023-03-01
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| Series: | Conservation Science and Practice |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12885 |
| _version_ | 1811161136908730368 |
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| author | Holly K. Nesbitt Alexander L. Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf Cecily M. Costello Lori L. Roberts Mike S. Lewis Justin A. Gude |
| author_facet | Holly K. Nesbitt Alexander L. Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf Cecily M. Costello Lori L. Roberts Mike S. Lewis Justin A. Gude |
| author_sort | Holly K. Nesbitt |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Coexistence between large carnivores and humans is a global conservation concern. Montana (USA) is home to recovering grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations and increasing human–grizzly interactions. In 2019, we administered a survey of Montanans to investigate factors influencing normative beliefs about grizzly bear population sizes and quantify the relationship between these beliefs and satisfaction with grizzly management in the state. Using a linear regression (r2 = .61), we found that residents with positive attitudes and emotional dispositions toward grizzlies or who trusted the agency were more likely to believe grizzly populations were too low. Residents who believed hunting should be used to manage conflict, were themselves hunters, had vicarious wildlife experience with property damage, believed grizzly populations were expanding, or were older were more likely to believe populations were too high. We found a negative quadratic relationship between normative grizzly bear population size beliefs and satisfaction with management, suggesting an optimal “Goldilocks” zone where coexistence is most possible. In practice, if observed Goldilocks zones are incompatible with population numbers required to meet conservation goals, considering factors influencing these beliefs may help bolster acceptance of larger population sizes. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:10:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-69ab1b09a2bd4e758102d2b487463af1 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2578-4854 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-10T06:10:39Z |
| publishDate | 2023-03-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Conservation Science and Practice |
| spelling | doaj.art-69ab1b09a2bd4e758102d2b487463af12023-03-02T18:50:02ZengWileyConservation Science and Practice2578-48542023-03-0153n/an/a10.1111/csp2.12885Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USAHolly K. Nesbitt0Alexander L. Metcalf1Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf2Cecily M. Costello3Lori L. Roberts4Mike S. Lewis5Justin A. Gude6Department of Society & Conservation, WA Franke College of Forestry & Conservation University of Montana Montana USADepartment of Society & Conservation, WA Franke College of Forestry & Conservation University of Montana Montana USADepartment of Society & Conservation, WA Franke College of Forestry & Conservation University of Montana Montana USAMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Helena Montana USAMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Helena Montana USAMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Helena Montana USAMontana Department of Fish, Wildlife, & Parks Helena Montana USAAbstract Coexistence between large carnivores and humans is a global conservation concern. Montana (USA) is home to recovering grizzly bear (Ursus arctos) populations and increasing human–grizzly interactions. In 2019, we administered a survey of Montanans to investigate factors influencing normative beliefs about grizzly bear population sizes and quantify the relationship between these beliefs and satisfaction with grizzly management in the state. Using a linear regression (r2 = .61), we found that residents with positive attitudes and emotional dispositions toward grizzlies or who trusted the agency were more likely to believe grizzly populations were too low. Residents who believed hunting should be used to manage conflict, were themselves hunters, had vicarious wildlife experience with property damage, believed grizzly populations were expanding, or were older were more likely to believe populations were too high. We found a negative quadratic relationship between normative grizzly bear population size beliefs and satisfaction with management, suggesting an optimal “Goldilocks” zone where coexistence is most possible. In practice, if observed Goldilocks zones are incompatible with population numbers required to meet conservation goals, considering factors influencing these beliefs may help bolster acceptance of larger population sizes.https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12885acceptancecoexistenceconflictgrizzly bearhuntinglarge carnivores |
| spellingShingle | Holly K. Nesbitt Alexander L. Metcalf Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf Cecily M. Costello Lori L. Roberts Mike S. Lewis Justin A. Gude Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA Conservation Science and Practice acceptance coexistence conflict grizzly bear hunting large carnivores |
| title | Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA |
| title_full | Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA |
| title_fullStr | Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA |
| title_full_unstemmed | Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA |
| title_short | Human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation: The social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in Montana, USA |
| title_sort | human dimensions of grizzly bear conservation the social factors underlying satisfaction and coexistence beliefs in montana usa |
| topic | acceptance coexistence conflict grizzly bear hunting large carnivores |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1111/csp2.12885 |
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