There are few studies examining the wellbeing benefits from exposure to natural environments differing in ecological attributes, such as biodiversity, and they have not had consistent results. This study progresses our understanding of nuanced relationship between nature by analyzing self-reported derived urban green spaces varying a range objectively measured biodiversity attributes bird species richness, habitat diversity, structural heterogeneity. Respondents’ (n = 840) perceptions...

Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) were used to test the effects of biodiversity on recovery from induced stress. Three natural and one urban environment represent ordinal levels (none, low, moderate, high). The four IVEs comprised visual, auditory, olfactory stimuli. An additional high IVE without auditory or stimuli was also included study multisensory stimulation per se stress perceptions biodiversity. Following induction via a novel Trier Social Stress Test (TSST-IVE), heart rate five...

Abstract Parks play an important role in improving health and wellbeing. However, lack of understanding visitor preferences regards to their recreation experiences how managers can facilitate desired benefits has limited the contribution parks society impeded adoption frameworks such as outcomes‐focused management. This paper describes a study two urban regional that investigated experience visitors attainment was influenced by activity setting preferences. The approach informed theoretical...

ABSTRACT Protected area managers are often interested in visitor satisfaction, a complex, multi-dimensional concept. This study of visitors to Kakadu National Park Australia compares 2 approaches predicting overall satisfaction and the intention recommend park. The first approach involves analyzing importance-performance measures on range service quality items. second measuring desire attainment perceived benefits associated with recreation experience. Results show that attained by stronger...

The New Zealand Department of Conservation (DOC) is an early adopter a place-based approach to implementing regional Management Strategies (CMS). As new approach, there are few signposts for guidance. present DOC process relies on top-down, deductive using expert judgement by agency staff. In this study, we examine alternative that uses inductive, public participation GIS (PPGIS) methods delineate places significant conservation value. We compare and evaluate the agency's with identified as...

Abstract This paper presents a method for identifying and monitoring regional tourism development preferences using an Internet public participation geographic information system (PPGIS). In 2004, large baseline study of landscape values was completed on Kangaroo Island (KI), South Australia, low technology, paper-map PPGIS. 2010, we implemented Internet-based PPGIS with the same participants to (1) determine efficacy smaller scale efforts PPGIS, (2) examine whether residents' had changed...

Although the restorative benefits of nature are widely acknowledged, there is a limited understanding attributes natural environments that fundamental to experiences. Faced with growing human populations and greater awareness wellbeing provide, park agencies planners increasingly challenged balancing ecological outcomes in areas. This study examines physical experiential qualities people referred when describing their connection most valued an online questionnaire. Recruited primarily via...

Journal Article Evaluation of an online (opt-in) panel for public participation geographic information systems surveys Get access Greg Brown, Brown 1School Geography, Planning and Environmental Management, University Queensland, Australia; 2Department Central Washington University, USA; 3Barbara Hardy Institute, South Australia, Australia 4Parks Victoria, Melbourne, is Associate Professor Planning, School Queensland Research Associate, Geography Department, University. Search other works by...

Striking a balance between the management of environmental risks and values is challenge for decision-makers. If people perceive that are increasing they may be willing to discount local manage those risks, so identification thresholds in risk perception relation specific behaviors could help avoid policy failures. The complex relationships perceptions climate change bushfire support actions mitigate presented peri-urban regions South Australia. results household survey (N=988) suggest...

AbstractPark agencies must plan to accommodate a diversity of visitors in order satisfy visitor expectations and encourage future visitation. This study applies market segmentation approach develop typology that is effective across broad spectrum parks applicable range priorities, both strategic operational, within park management agencies. Over four-year period, data was sourced from over 11,000 interviews conducted at 33 diverse Australian national metropolitan managed by the agency Parks...

A problem-based immersive virtual environment (IVE) about bushfire safety was developed as a learning tool for children aged 10–12. Its effectiveness assessed in relation to children’s ability determine how be safer incident. series of experiential activities were the IVE with digital storytelling and two-stage embedded assessments providing an opportunity engage tasks solve problems while receiving feedback on their performance. Changes from pre- postsurvey results showed positive outcomes...

This paper reports on results from two major research projects conducted in South Australia. The first investigates adaptation to climate change of the state’s grain and sheep farming regions, using semi-structured interviews focus groups. second uses a postal questionnaire an internet-based survey residents peri-urban fringes Adelaide, state capital, examine knowledge attitudes resulting adaptations, especially context increasing risk wildfires. agriculture focused formal institutions...