Public attitudes towards the effects of land use on coldwater ecosystems

Abstract

This study looked at differences in public attitudes of the effects of land use on coldwater ecosystems. Two parts of the general public were studied-- landowners having trout waters on their land and trout anglers. In addition, coldwater fisheries professionals in the southern Appalachian Mountain area were studied. It was hypothesized that differences in attitudes would exist among the three groups based on education, prior knowledge, and past experiences. It was also hypothesized that differences would exist among fisheries professionals based on amount and type of experience and amount of professional responsibility.

A series of mail surveys was conducted using the Delphi Method. The Delphi Method is an efficient way to quantify judgement through systematic solicitation of group opinion. High survey response rates were achieved, and are attributed to the simple survey, the interest of the groups, and the rewards offered.

In general, all participants felt that any land use had at least some ill effects on nearby streams. Landowners responded that farming had the least detrimental effects, while all groups agreed that industries posed the biggest risk to aquatic resources.

Greatest disagreement among groups concerned the effects of land use on dissolved oxygen and large woody debris. This coincides with disagreement among researchers and an increase in research of these topics. Disagreement among groups also concerned the effects of farming on trout food supply, presumably because of the complex interactions associated with farming.

Disagreement among fisheries professionals concerned the effects of land use on large woody debris-- an artifact of a current research topic-- and the effects of urban development on stream parameters. This is probably because of the diverse nature of urban development. Disagreement among professionals was found to be a function of amount and type of experience, but specific differences could rarely be isolated.

Overall, the Delphi Method was an efficient way to obtain a group opinion. It is an inexpensive, effective means of quantitatively describing public knowledge of the effects of land use on coldwater ecosystems.