Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak

Lack of public awareness of biodiversity conservation is the leading cause of biodiversity loss. This needs to be emphasized by stakeholders in the conservation effort, particularly in some major conservation areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). As a...

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Main Authors: Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam, Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam, Johari, Shazali, Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan, Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad, Hassan, Suziana
Format: Article
Published: Springer Dordrecht 2022
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author Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Johari, Shazali
Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan
Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad
Hassan, Suziana
author_facet Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Johari, Shazali
Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan
Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad
Hassan, Suziana
author_sort Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
collection UPM
description Lack of public awareness of biodiversity conservation is the leading cause of biodiversity loss. This needs to be emphasized by stakeholders in the conservation effort, particularly in some major conservation areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). As a result of threats such as natural catastrophes, pollution, poaching, and uncontrolled urbanization or human development, GMNP is at risk of being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The UNESCO status is possible to be drawn if its criteria are not maintained or degraded due to a lack of emphasis on awareness of the importance of the site. However, it is still limited information on to what extent is the public aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation in GMNP and its relationship to their well-being. Thus, the study aims to examine the level of awareness (knowledge, attitude, and experience) among local community and visitors in GMNP towards biodiversity conservation; and determine their well-being, specifically on environmental, economic, and social factors concerning conservation awareness. A validated questionnaire was distributed to the visitors (n = 87) and local community (n = 99) through an online and face-to-face survey. Based on the awareness constructs, their level of knowledge and experience is high, while attitude portrays a moderate level. The visitors have a higher level of knowledge, attitude, and experience than the local community. The level of education and number of dependents had influenced their awareness of conservation. In terms of well-being, the economic and social factors had significantly predicted awareness accordingly. It shows that the dimensions of the neighborhood, life and social relations, services and facilities, education, culture, and monthly income influence their current level of awareness of biodiversity conservation. The empirical study provides insights into developing a biodiversity conservation framework for GMNP that emphasizes community psychology as part of the social movement toward holistic management in the park.
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spelling upm.eprints-1088822024-10-03T04:24:32Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/108882/ Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam Johari, Shazali Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad Hassan, Suziana Lack of public awareness of biodiversity conservation is the leading cause of biodiversity loss. This needs to be emphasized by stakeholders in the conservation effort, particularly in some major conservation areas, including the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Gunung Mulu National Park (GMNP). As a result of threats such as natural catastrophes, pollution, poaching, and uncontrolled urbanization or human development, GMNP is at risk of being inscribed on the List of World Heritage in Danger. The UNESCO status is possible to be drawn if its criteria are not maintained or degraded due to a lack of emphasis on awareness of the importance of the site. However, it is still limited information on to what extent is the public aware of the importance of biodiversity conservation in GMNP and its relationship to their well-being. Thus, the study aims to examine the level of awareness (knowledge, attitude, and experience) among local community and visitors in GMNP towards biodiversity conservation; and determine their well-being, specifically on environmental, economic, and social factors concerning conservation awareness. A validated questionnaire was distributed to the visitors (n = 87) and local community (n = 99) through an online and face-to-face survey. Based on the awareness constructs, their level of knowledge and experience is high, while attitude portrays a moderate level. The visitors have a higher level of knowledge, attitude, and experience than the local community. The level of education and number of dependents had influenced their awareness of conservation. In terms of well-being, the economic and social factors had significantly predicted awareness accordingly. It shows that the dimensions of the neighborhood, life and social relations, services and facilities, education, culture, and monthly income influence their current level of awareness of biodiversity conservation. The empirical study provides insights into developing a biodiversity conservation framework for GMNP that emphasizes community psychology as part of the social movement toward holistic management in the park. Springer Dordrecht 2022-12-28 Article PeerReviewed Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam and Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam and Johari, Shazali and Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan and Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad and Hassan, Suziana (2022) Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak. GeoJournal, 88 (3). 3471 - 3496. ISSN 0343-2521; ESSN: 1572-9893 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10708-022-10818-x 10.1007/s10708-022-10818-x
spellingShingle Ibrahim, Mohamad Syahrul Nizam
Assim, Mohd Ibrani Shahrimin Adam
Johari, Shazali
Mohammad, Syarifah Kamariah Wan
Afandi, Syamsul Herman Mohammad
Hassan, Suziana
Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title_full Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title_fullStr Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title_full_unstemmed Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title_short Public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well‑being: case of Gunung Mulu National Park, Sarawak
title_sort public awareness on biodiversity conservation and well being case of gunung mulu national park sarawak
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