Are all rivers equal? The role of education in attitudes towards temporary and perennial rivers
2019
1. Temporary rivers (TRs) are prevalent, biodiverse ecosystems yet often overlooked and underprotected. This may be because inadequate understanding of their
ecosystem servicesleaves them undervalued by society. However, evidence of negative
attitudestowards TRs is scant. 2. We investigated the strength and extent of negative
attitudesby surveying undergraduate students from Australia, UK, and USA on their agreement (positive
attitude) or disagreement (negative
attitude) with statements about the
ecosystem services, moral consideration, and protection of perennial and TRs. Students were surveyed at the start and end of teaching units covering environmental topics. 3. Disagreement with statements was uncommon (17% across all statements and surveys) and
attitudestowards TRs were mostly positive. However,
attitudestowards perennial rivers were more positive, particularly in comparison with non‐flowing TRs and with regard to their aesthetic value and recreational amenity. There were no significant differences in
attitudestowards perennial and TRs in one teaching unit in Australia, and responses were more often more positive at the end of teaching units in the UK. 4. Our study indicates education can change
attitudes. The overall positive response to statements may reflect underlying environmental awareness and pre‐existing interest of participants enrolled in environmental and biology degrees, but not necessarily specific knowledge of TRs. General environmental education across the wider community could improve
attitudestowards TRs, particularly when they are not flowing or in regions where they are uncommon or inconspicuous, and could support positive protection measures and innovative, inclusive management.
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