Using canonical correlation analysis to identify environmental attitude groups: considerations for national forest planning in the southwestern U.S

Environ Manage. 2014 Oct;54(4):756-67. doi: 10.1007/s00267-014-0349-0. Epub 2014 Aug 10.

Abstract

As public land management agencies pursue region-specific resource management plans, with meaningful consideration of public attitudes and values, there is a need to characterize the complex mix of environmental attitudes in a diverse population. The contribution of this investigation is to make use of a unique household, mail/internet survey data set collected in 2007 in the Southwestern United States (Region 3 of the U.S. Forest Service). With over 5,800 survey responses to a set of 25 Public Land Value statements, canonical correlation analysis is able to identify 7 statistically distinct environmental attitudinal groups. We also examine the effect of expected changes in regional demographics on overall environmental attitudes, which may help guide in the development of socially acceptable long-term forest management policies. Results show significant support for conservationist management policies and passive environmental values, as well as a greater role for stakeholder groups in generating consensus for current and future forest management policies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude
  • Data Collection
  • Environment*
  • Female
  • Forestry / legislation & jurisprudence
  • Forestry / methods*
  • Forests
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Public Opinion
  • Public Policy
  • Southwestern United States
  • United States
  • Young Adult