Utilize este identificador para referenciar este registo: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/113237
Título: Public perceptions about the invasive pampas grass, Cortaderia selloana: a case study of environmentally conscious citizens in Southern Europe
Autor: Roldão Almeida, Mónica
Marchante, Elizabete 
Marchante, Hélia 
Palavras-chave: Invasive species; Online survey; Questionnaire; Public education; Social media; Iberian Peninsula
Data: 2023
Editora: Springer Nature
Projeto: project LIFE Stop Cortaderia: Urgent measures for controlling the spread of Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) in the Atlantic Area (LIFE17 NAT/ES/000495) 
Título da revista, periódico, livro ou evento: Biological Invasions
Volume: 25
Número: 6
Resumo: Cortaderia selloana (pampas grass), native to South America, is a widespread invasive plant in several regions of the World, including the south of the Atlantic Arc (Europe), where it has been used as an ornamental species. Citizens may help to spread it, e.g., planting it in their gardens, but on the other hand, when they are aware of its invasiveness, can contribute to control it and prevent its spread. An online survey was performed to better understand the perception and knowledge of Portuguese and Spanish citizens, regarding pampas grass. The influence of education and occupation, along with age, gender and country of residence, on the knowledge and perceptions of respondents was analysed. The questionnaire was answered by 486 and 839 citizens in Portugal (PT) and Spain (ES), respectively. Most respondents were between 41 and 64 years old, mostly women in Portugal and equally women and men in Spain, with higher education and working mostly in the services sector. The majority of respondents in both countries recognized the plant, knew it is invasive and were able to name it, alerting to a possible bias of the target audience toward citizens already aware of the invasiveness of the pampas grass. Fewer respondents were aware of the legislation that limits its use, and most were unable to identify particular characteristics of the species. The results showed that respondents' occupation in PT and education in ES influenced their knowledge and perception about pampas grass. This study confirms that education and raising awareness regarding invasive species is of utmost importance, as respondents identified academic training and projects with a strong focus on public awareness as the main sources of knowledge regarding pampas grass. Better informed citizens can be part of the solution rather than part of the problem, especially regarding invasive species with such ornamental interest as pampas grass.
URI: https://hdl.handle.net/10316/113237
ISSN: 1387-3547
DOI: 10.1007/s10530-023-03025-3
Direitos: openAccess
Aparece nas coleções:FCTUC Ciências da Vida - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais
I&D CFE - Artigos em Revistas Internacionais

Mostrar registo em formato completo

Visualizações de página

29
Visto em 8/mai/2024

Downloads

14
Visto em 8/mai/2024

Google ScholarTM

Verificar

Altmetric

Altmetric


Este registo está protegido por Licença Creative Commons Creative Commons