Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape
This study examined the acceptability of different silvicultural treatments to restore pine barrens, an open, fire-dependent forest landscape type globally imperiled across the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. In an online survey, we asked family-forest owners (<i>N...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Forests |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/5/770 |
| _version_ | 1797499777967980544 |
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| author | Arne Arnberger Paul H. Gobster Ingrid E. Schneider Kristin M. Floress Anna L. Haines Renate Eder |
| author_facet | Arne Arnberger Paul H. Gobster Ingrid E. Schneider Kristin M. Floress Anna L. Haines Renate Eder |
| author_sort | Arne Arnberger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study examined the acceptability of different silvicultural treatments to restore pine barrens, an open, fire-dependent forest landscape type globally imperiled across the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. In an online survey, we asked family-forest owners (<i>N</i> = 466) in Northeastern Wisconsin about the acceptability of pine barrens restoration treatments through ratings of both verbal descriptions and visual scenarios. An informational statement about pine barrens restoration purposes and goals preceded ratings for half the sample. Across the entire sample, acceptability ratings for eleven verbally-described treatments generally declined as treatments became more intensive, creating greater openness on the landscape. Information recipients found two groups of treatments identified by factor analysis (selective openings, fire) more acceptable than non-recipients, and cluster analysis identified four respondent subgroups, each with varying levels of acceptability. The respondents also rated the acceptability of visual scenarios, with treatment attribute combinations portraying a range of likely restoration alternatives. While we generally found correspondence between verbal and visual acceptability ratings across the entire sample, the groups distinguished by their verbal acceptability ratings did not substantially differ in how they rated the acceptability of the visual scenarios. Implications are discussed for designing and communicating the purpose and value of restoration treatments to stakeholder groups. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:52:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-86187723285b488daeaa85e0941e3bb8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1999-4907 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T03:52:18Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forests |
| spelling | doaj.art-86187723285b488daeaa85e0941e3bb82023-11-23T11:02:28ZengMDPI AGForests1999-49072022-05-0113577010.3390/f13050770Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest LandscapeArne Arnberger0Paul H. Gobster1Ingrid E. Schneider2Kristin M. Floress3Anna L. Haines4Renate Eder5Institute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Peter Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, AustriaNorthern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1033 University Pl. Ste. 360, Evanston, IL 60201, USADepartment of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota, 1530 Cleveland Ave. N., St. Paul, MN 55108, USANorthern Research Station, USDA Forest Service, 1033 University Pl. Ste. 360, Evanston, IL 60201, USACenter for Land Use Education, University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, 800 Reserve Street, Stevens Point, WI 54481, USAInstitute of Landscape Development, Recreation and Conservation Planning, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Peter Jordan-Straße 82, 1190 Vienna, AustriaThis study examined the acceptability of different silvicultural treatments to restore pine barrens, an open, fire-dependent forest landscape type globally imperiled across the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. In an online survey, we asked family-forest owners (<i>N</i> = 466) in Northeastern Wisconsin about the acceptability of pine barrens restoration treatments through ratings of both verbal descriptions and visual scenarios. An informational statement about pine barrens restoration purposes and goals preceded ratings for half the sample. Across the entire sample, acceptability ratings for eleven verbally-described treatments generally declined as treatments became more intensive, creating greater openness on the landscape. Information recipients found two groups of treatments identified by factor analysis (selective openings, fire) more acceptable than non-recipients, and cluster analysis identified four respondent subgroups, each with varying levels of acceptability. The respondents also rated the acceptability of visual scenarios, with treatment attribute combinations portraying a range of likely restoration alternatives. While we generally found correspondence between verbal and visual acceptability ratings across the entire sample, the groups distinguished by their verbal acceptability ratings did not substantially differ in how they rated the acceptability of the visual scenarios. Implications are discussed for designing and communicating the purpose and value of restoration treatments to stakeholder groups.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/5/770open forest landscapesecological restorationrestoration treatmentsacceptabilityverbal vs. visual methodsinformation effects |
| spellingShingle | Arne Arnberger Paul H. Gobster Ingrid E. Schneider Kristin M. Floress Anna L. Haines Renate Eder Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape Forests open forest landscapes ecological restoration restoration treatments acceptability verbal vs. visual methods information effects |
| title | Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape |
| title_full | Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape |
| title_fullStr | Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape |
| title_full_unstemmed | Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape |
| title_short | Landowner Acceptability of Silvicultural Treatments to Restore an Open Forest Landscape |
| title_sort | landowner acceptability of silvicultural treatments to restore an open forest landscape |
| topic | open forest landscapes ecological restoration restoration treatments acceptability verbal vs. visual methods information effects |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4907/13/5/770 |
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