Visitor Attitudes Toward and Support for Invasive Species Management at Cumberland Island National Seashore

Abstract

Controlling invasive species has become a management priority on public lands across America. Although managers recognize the need for policies that minimize the impact of non-indigenous organisms, the extent to which the public supports these policies remains largely unknown. This study used an on-site intercept survey of visitors to Cumberland Island National Seashore, GA, (N = 1,166) to assess public attitudes toward invasive species. Based on responses, visitors were grouped into two main attitude categories: absolute ecocentric individuals (who believed all living things had a right to coexist) and adaptive ecocentric individuals (who acknowledged that some degree of control may be necessary to restore ecosystem integrity). Despite conflicting perspectives, members of both groups agreed that adaptive on-site management was the most acceptable and least controversial method of invasive species control. Future studies could build on this approach to identify stakeholder characteristics that help to predict invasive species management preferences.