Biospheric values, anxiety, and perceptions of biodiversity loss: A cross-country analysis of conservation behavior

Abstract

This study examined how psychological factors affect engagement in biodiversity conservation behaviors across Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Using online surveys with 1,334 respondents (Germany, n = 437; United Kingdom, n = 453; and Spain, n = 444), we analyzed the impact of biospheric values, anxiety about biodiversity loss, and perceptions of biodiversity loss on biodiversity conservation behavior. Regression analysis showed that both biospheric values and anxiety about biodiversity loss was associated with biodiversity conservation behaviors across the countries. The dimensions of biodiversity loss perceptions associated with biodiversity conservation behavior differed across the countries. Structural equation models for Germany, the United Kingdom, and Spain revealed a satisfactory fit of the models to the data, but cross-country analysis showed differences in the influencing factors. Mean differences between the countries indicated that the Spanish respondents were most anxious about and most aware of human-induced biodiversity loss, whereas the British respondents were most committed to biodiversity conservation (engaging in biodiversity-supportive gardening activities). These findings highlight the critical roles of biospheric values and emotional responses in promoting biodiversity conservation across cultural contexts and suggest that targeted interventions can enhance conservation efforts by leveraging these insights.