How Can Residents Protect and Promote Pollinators? The Diffusion of Residential Pollinator Gardening
Urbanization and development of landscapes are leading causes of declines in pollinator abundance and diversity. However, researchers have found that some pollinators can thrive in urban landscapes, depending on land-use practices, environmental conditions, and species traits. Residential landscapes constitute a significant portion of urban green space and thus, residents’ changes in landscape practices to promote pollinators can play a central role in addressing the global pollinator challenge. Yet, although residents’ willingness and intention appear strong, adoption of pollinator gardening practices remains low. The present study – guided by the Diffusion of Innovations theory – aimed to build empirical understanding by surveying 1,598 [State] residents on their experiences and perceptions related to pollinator gardening to determine the most salient barriers and opportunities to engagement. Key findings suggest reducing perceived complexity and boosting observability are critical to promoting adoption, which demonstrate, in practical terms, that: (1) targeted efforts to build residents’ actionable knowledge about pollinator gardening may significantly reduce uncertainty and boost the likelihood of adoption; and (2) examples of active pollinator gardens need to be more widely showcased and popularized (e.g., through experiential or virtual demonstrations). We also found most residents living in homeowner associations (HOAs) believed HOA policies on pollinator gardening were restrictive or the residents were unsure whether they are allowed to practice pollinator gardening. Given these perceptions strongly associated with residents’ low intent to engage in pollinator gardening, a major opportunity exists to push the adoption needle by working with HOAs and community leaders to become promoters of – rather than barriers to – pollinator gardening
Year of publication: |
[2023]
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Authors: | Silvert, Colby ; Gusto, Cody ; Warner, Laura A. ; Diaz, John M. ; Mallinger, Rachel |
Publisher: |
[S.l.] : SSRN |
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