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Acceptance, Acceptability, and Trust for Sagebrush Restoration Options in the Great Basin: A Longitudinal Perspective

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Title Acceptance, Acceptability, and Trust for Sagebrush Restoration Options in the Great Basin: A Longitudinal Perspective
Names Gordon, Ryan (creator)
Brunson, Mark W. (creator)
Shindler, Bruce (creator)
Date Issued 2014-09 (iso8601)
Note This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by Society for Range Management and can be found at: http://www.srmjournals.org/
Abstract In surveys of residents in three urban and three rural locations in the Great Basin we examined the social acceptability of six
management practices showing promise for restoring sagebrush-dominated rangelands. Unlike most studies of range
management perceptions that have relied on single measurements, we used longitudinal data from a questionnaire mailed in
2006 to residents that were resurveyed in 2010. Overall, 698 respondents comprised the panel. Respondents’ self-reported levels
of knowledge about the health and management of Great Basin rangelands decreased from 2006 to 2010. In both years, mean
acceptance was greater for the use of prescribed fire, grazing, felling, and mowing, but relatively low for chaining and herbicide
use. Overall, acceptability ratings were similar in 2006 and 2010 but individually about half of the acceptance responses differed
between years. Practices were more acceptable to respondents who expressed greater concern about threats posed by inaction,
except that the threat of wildfire was negatively associated with acceptance for prescribed burning. Acceptance was not
significantly related to concern about overall health of Great Basin rangelands, or to self-reported knowledge level. Rural/urban
residence and general attitudes toward environmental protection were sometimes influential, but more so in 2006 than in 2010.
By far the best predictor of acceptance was trust in agencies’ ability to implement the practice. In both years respondents were
more likely to judge a practice acceptable than to trust agencies to use the practice. Positive or negative change in trust level was
the most significant predictor of change in acceptability judgment from 2006 to 2010. Results suggest that efforts to increase
acceptance of practices among Great Basin stakeholders should focus on activities designed to build trust rather than simply
providing more or better information.
Genre Article
Topic fuels reduction
Identifier Gordon, R., Brunson, M. W., & Shindler, B. (2014). Acceptance, acceptability, and trust for sagebrush restoration options in the Great Basin: a longitudinal perspective. Rangeland Ecology and Management, 67(5), 573-583. doi:10.2111/REM-D-13-00016.1

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