Knowledge, reason and emotion: using behavioral theories to understand people’s support for invasive animal management

Species invasions contribute to global environmental change and cause declines in populations of threatened endangered species. Significant government funds are expended on invasive species management (ISM) actions each year. Public support compliance critical the success these actions. We conducted a study assess determinants general public’s for ISM identify potential barriers ISM. administered an online questionnaire public (n = 1,561) Florida, state severely affected by invasions. presented respondents with 12 different non-native animals from 4 taxa (birds, rodents, herpetofauna, fish) test whether their depended be managed or perceptions risk. utilized structural equation models explore how variables directly indirectly influenced Respondents tended oppose targeted towards birds charismatic Respondents’ government-implemented was positively correlated awareness risks associated general, consequences invasions, recognition importance taking mitigate invasion threats. Efforts promote should emphasize offset opposition that target