When making conservation decisions, managers must consider a variety of biological and environmental factors. In addition, public perception and other social factors must also be considered and can often determine the way these conservation decisions get made and carried out. Invasive brown treesnakes (BTS) in Guam, an American territory in the Western Pacific, cause millions of dollars in damage, and have created an ecological tragedy on the island by essentially exterminating native forest birds. While the negative biological impacts of this species are extensive and have been the target of scientists and managers for decades, public perceptions of the BTS, its impacts, and management are not necessarily aligned with current research and management priorities. We conducted 14 small group discussions with residents of Guam, encompassing a variety of ages, backgrounds, and professions. Using grounded theory and qualitative methods, we analyzed transcripts of these discussions to discern major themes and recurring concerns.
Results/Conclusions
Participants voiced concern about a wide variety of environmental issues. When discussing invasive species, participants showed more concern for coconut rhinoceros beetles, a more recent introduction with very visible effects, than they did for BTS, a more familiar invasive species to Guam residents. They also expressed doubts about BTS management strategies and mixed levels of trust in different management agencies and institutions. In addition, participants questioned links between BTS and bird loss, and shared alternative hypotheses for the disappearance of Guam's birds. This could impact current plans for widespread BTS-control techniques. Estimating perceived risk of both invasive species and their potential control methods are necessary for avoiding stakeholder outrage. Understanding and incorporating societal factors into building conservation strategies will maximize public and political support, and therefore, maximize ecological success as well.