Perceived need for management interventions in the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

The health of coral reef ecosystems is critically threatened by global warming, a fact well-recognized by reef managers and conservation specialists. However, this awareness does not necessarily extend to the broader public, potentially creating an epistemological disparity between expert understanding of necessary environmental management interventions and public perceptions of the need to intervene. This study examines the Great Barrier Reef (GBR; the Reef) as a case example to explore predictors of the perceived need for environmental management interventions in the Reef. Drawing on risk perception literature and public attitudes towards novel environmental solutions, it was hypothesised that the perceived need for intervention would be associated with: (a) perception of the problem (e.g., threats to the Reef); and (b) personal benefits derived from, and emotional responses to, the GBR environment (e.g., wellbeing, economic benefits, positive and negative emotions). A quantitative survey of 2048 GBR residents was conducted to measure public attitudes. The results revealed a robust multivariate regression model (R² = 0.67), identifying emotional reactions to reef damage, perceived threat of climate change to the GBR, and personal pride in the GBR as a World Heritage Area as the most influential predictors of perceived need for intervention. This study underscores key individual factors that are likely to be significant for residents when considering the necessity of future interventions in the GBR, providing valuable insights for reef managers and decision-makers.