Analyzing the predictors of attitudes towards the invasion of the Iranian squirrel species (Sciurus anomalus) in Alborz and Qazvin provinces: providing a structural equation model in order to manage and control the invasion process
Subject Areas :
Biodiversity
reza ghasem pour
1
,
Jalil Imani
2
,
Mohammad Kaboli
3
,
Amir alam baigi
4
1 - Ph.D. Student, Department of Environmental and Forest Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
2 - Assistant Professor, Department of Environmental and Forest Science, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. *(Corresponding Author)
3 - Professor, Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources of Tehran University, Tehran University, Karaj, Iran.
4 - Assistance Professor, Department of Agricultural Extension and Education, Faculty of Agricultural Economics and Development, University of Tehran, Karaj, Iran.
Received: 2021-07-07
Accepted : 2021-11-09
Published : 2022-04-21
Keywords:
Management and conservation of biodiversi,
Minimum squares (PLS),
Persian squirrel,
Invasive Species,
Abstract :
Background and Objective: Today, with the entry of Persian squirrel species by humans into the foothills of Alborz mountain range, especially Qazvin and Alborz provinces, it has caused damage to the environment and local communities. The aim of this study was to provide a structural model of attitudes of gardeners damaged by the infestation of Persian Squirrels in Qazvin and Alborz provinces for efficient management and control of squirrel invasion in the region.
Material and Methodology: The present study is applied in terms of purpose and in terms of data collection, it is of survey type. In this study, a questionnaire was used in Alborz and Qazvin provinces. Validity of the questionnaire from three methods; Convergent validity, Factor Analysis and Divergent validity was used; And for the reliability of the questionnaire in two methods; Cronbach's alpha and sequential theta were used and the questionnaire was reviewed and validated; The statistical population of gardeners is damaged; Its size was estimated based on the Cochran's formula of 392 people. Then the structural equation model with partial least squares method was used to estimate the Unknown parameters of the model used.
Findings: Research findings showed, the degree of agreement with control strategies, Knowledge about squirrels and ethical considerations are the most important determinants of a reliable level 99% P≤0.01 Respectively with effect coefficients 0.330, 0.256, -0.258 has a Meaningful effect on attitudes damaged gardeners. our other findings showed that the damage factor as an independent external factor added to the model had the most significant effect on the 99% confidence level of P P≤0.01 on the attitude of ethical considerations, beliefs, squirrel control feasibility and agreement with control strategies; There is with effect coefficients -0.236, -0.172, -0.175, 0.244.
Discussion and Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that increasing knowledge and awareness about the effects and harms of squirrel invasion in the region is the main factor in increasing public support for control management or eradication of invasive squirrels.
References:
Wilcove DS, Rothstein D, Dubow J, Phillips A, Losos E. Quantifying threats to imperiled species in the United States. Bioscience. 1998;48(8):607–15.
Pimentel D, Zuniga R, Morrison D. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecol Econ. 2005;52(3):273–88.
Wright LJ, Newson SE, Noble DG. The Value of a Random Sampling Design for Annual Monitoring of National Populations of Larger British Terrestrial Mammals. Eur J Wildl Res. 2014;60(2):213–21.
Flaherty M. Developing optimal strategies for limiting the spread of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and conservation of reds (Sciurus vulgaris) in Ireland. 2016.
Pereira J, Haene E, Babarskas M. Pereira: Mamíferos de la Reserva Natural Otamendi. Aves Argentinas/AOP, Buenos Aires [Internet]. 2003 [cited 2020 Dec 8];115– 139.
Guichón M, Bello M, Fasola L. Expansión poblacional de una especie introducida en la Argentina: la ardilla de vientre rojo Callosciurus erythraeus. Callosciurus erythraeus Mastozoología Neotrop [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Dec 8];12(2):189–97.
Fraser A. Public attitudes to pest control: a literature review [Internet]. DOC Research & Development Series 227. 2006 [cited 2020 Jul 1]. 1–36 p.
Manchester SJ, Bullock JM. The impacts of non-native species on UK biodiversity and the effectiveness of control. J Appl Ecol. 2000;37(5):845–64.
Bertolino S, Genovesi P. Spread and attempted eradication of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy, and consequences for the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Eurasia. Biol Conserv. 2003;109(3):351–8.
Shackleton RT, Adriaens T, Brundu G, Dehnen-Schmutz K, Estévez RA, Fried J, et al. Stakeholder engagement in the study and management of invasive alien species. Vol. 229, Journal of Environmental Management. 2019. p. 88–101.
Dickman A, Marchini S, Manfredo M. The human dimension in addressing conflict with large carnivores. Key Top Conserv Biol 2. 2013;110–26.
Bodin Ö, Crona B, Ernstson H. Social networks in natural resource management: What is there to learn from a structural perspective? Ecol Soc. 2006;11(2).
Arabi R, Mirakzadeh A, Zarafshani K. Analysis of the promoting factors of the development in participatory irrigation management (Case study: Miandarband rural district). Iran J Agric Econ Dev Res 45, 235-246 (In Farsi). 2014;
Reed MS. Stakeholder participation for environmental management: A literature review. Sci direct. 2008;1:Biol. Conserv. 141, 2417e2431.
Reed MS, Vella S, Challies E, Vente J De, Frewer L, Hohenwallner-ries D, et al. A theory of participation : what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work ? 2017;1–11.
Reaser JK. Invasive alien species prevention and control: the art and science of managing people. In: McNeely, J.A. (Ed.), The Great Reshuffling: Human Dimensions of Invasive Alien Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 2001. 89–104 p.
Decker DJ, Krueger CC, Jr AB, Knuth BA, Milo E. From Clients to Stakeholders: A Philosophical Shift for Fish and Wildlife Management. 1996;(May 2015):70–82.
Okello MM. Land use changes and human–wildlife conflicts in the amboseli area, kenya. Hum Dimens Wildl [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Sep 12];10(1):19–28.
Treves A, Wallace RB, Naughton-treves L. Co-managing human– wildlife conflicts: a review. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 2006;11(6):383–96.
Dickman AJ. Complexities of conflict : the importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human – wildlife conflict. Anim Conserv. 2010;13(5):458–66.
Bremner A, Park K. Public attitudes to the management of invasive non-native species in Scotland. Biol Conserv. 2007;139(3–4):306–14.
Strubbe D, Matthysen E. Predicting the potential distribution of invasive ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri in northern Belgium using an ecological niche modelling approach. Biol Invasions. 2009;11(3):497–513.
IUCN. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 [Internet]. International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN; 2018 [cited 2019 Mar 1].
Karami M, Ghadirian T, Faizolahi K. The atlas of mammals of Iran ; [Internet]. Jahad daneshgahi, kharazmi Branch. 2016. 290 pages.
Alborz agriculture landscape [Internet]. Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, Vice President of Planning and Economic Affairs.2014. p. 12. Availablefrom: http://alborzagri.ir/portals/71/Amar/Simaye Keshavarzi 93.pdf
Gmelin JF. Sciurus anomalus [Internet]. Syst. Nat., 13th ed. 1778 [cited 2020 Jul 10]. p. 148.
Ziaie H. A Field Guide to The Mammals of Iran. Vol. 3, Iran Wildlife Center, Tehran. 2008. 432 p.
Etemad E. Mammals of Iran. Natl Soc Nat Sources Hum Environ Prot Publ [Internet]. 1978 Feb 23 [cited 2020 Nov 10];1:273–88.
Balgu M, Abdu A. Attitudes of Female Students towards Premarital Sex and it’s Perceived Consequences in Arba Minich University. 2019 [cited 2020 Dec 23];7(1).
Nunnally JC, Bernstein IH. Psychometric theory . New York: McGraw-Hill. [Internet]. Vol. 2, Philosophical Magazine. 1994. p. 559–72.
Hair J, F. J, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC. Multivariate Data Analysis. Up Saddle River, New Jersey Prentice-Hall. 1998;5.
Fornell C, Larcker DF. Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error: https://doi.org/101177/002224378101800104 [Internet]. 2018 Nov 28 [cited 2021 Oct 9];18(1):39–50.
Majchrzak A, Beath CM, Lim RA, Chin WW. Managing client dialogues during information systems design to facilitate client learning. MIS Q Manag Inf Syst [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Jul 12];29(4):653–72. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25148704
Chin WW, Newsted P r. Structural Equation Modeling analysis with Small Sample Using Partial Least Squares. In Rick Hoyle (Ed.). Stat Strateg Small Sample Res Sage Publ. 1999;307–41.
Shine R, Doody JS. Invasive species control: Understanding conflicts between researchers and the general community. Front Ecol Environ. 2011;9(7):400–6.
Mike Dunna, Marzanoa M, Forster J, Gill RMA. Public attitudes towards “pest” management: Perceptions on squirrel management strategies in the UK. Biol Conserv. 2018;222:52–63.
Akiba H, Miller CA, Matsuda H. Factor Influencing Public Preference for Raccoon Eradication Plan in Kanagawa, Japan. Hum Dimens Wildl. 2012;17(3):207–19.
Maurice Vane, Runhaar HAC. Public support for invasive alien species eradication programs: insights from the Netherlands. Restor Ecol. 2016;
_||_
Wilcove DS, Rothstein D, Dubow J, Phillips A, Losos E. Quantifying threats to imperiled species in the United States. Bioscience. 1998;48(8):607–15.
Pimentel D, Zuniga R, Morrison D. Update on the environmental and economic costs associated with alien-invasive species in the United States. Ecol Econ. 2005;52(3):273–88.
Wright LJ, Newson SE, Noble DG. The Value of a Random Sampling Design for Annual Monitoring of National Populations of Larger British Terrestrial Mammals. Eur J Wildl Res. 2014;60(2):213–21.
Flaherty M. Developing optimal strategies for limiting the spread of grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and conservation of reds (Sciurus vulgaris) in Ireland. 2016.
Pereira J, Haene E, Babarskas M. Pereira: Mamíferos de la Reserva Natural Otamendi. Aves Argentinas/AOP, Buenos Aires [Internet]. 2003 [cited 2020 Dec 8];115– 139.
Guichón M, Bello M, Fasola L. Expansión poblacional de una especie introducida en la Argentina: la ardilla de vientre rojo Callosciurus erythraeus. Callosciurus erythraeus Mastozoología Neotrop [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Dec 8];12(2):189–97.
Fraser A. Public attitudes to pest control: a literature review [Internet]. DOC Research & Development Series 227. 2006 [cited 2020 Jul 1]. 1–36 p.
Manchester SJ, Bullock JM. The impacts of non-native species on UK biodiversity and the effectiveness of control. J Appl Ecol. 2000;37(5):845–64.
Bertolino S, Genovesi P. Spread and attempted eradication of the grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) in Italy, and consequences for the red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) in Eurasia. Biol Conserv. 2003;109(3):351–8.
Shackleton RT, Adriaens T, Brundu G, Dehnen-Schmutz K, Estévez RA, Fried J, et al. Stakeholder engagement in the study and management of invasive alien species. Vol. 229, Journal of Environmental Management. 2019. p. 88–101.
Dickman A, Marchini S, Manfredo M. The human dimension in addressing conflict with large carnivores. Key Top Conserv Biol 2. 2013;110–26.
Bodin Ö, Crona B, Ernstson H. Social networks in natural resource management: What is there to learn from a structural perspective? Ecol Soc. 2006;11(2).
Arabi R, Mirakzadeh A, Zarafshani K. Analysis of the promoting factors of the development in participatory irrigation management (Case study: Miandarband rural district). Iran J Agric Econ Dev Res 45, 235-246 (In Farsi). 2014;
Reed MS. Stakeholder participation for environmental management: A literature review. Sci direct. 2008;1:Biol. Conserv. 141, 2417e2431.
Reed MS, Vella S, Challies E, Vente J De, Frewer L, Hohenwallner-ries D, et al. A theory of participation : what makes stakeholder and public engagement in environmental management work ? 2017;1–11.
Reaser JK. Invasive alien species prevention and control: the art and science of managing people. In: McNeely, J.A. (Ed.), The Great Reshuffling: Human Dimensions of Invasive Alien Species. IUCN, Gland, Switzerland and Cambridge, UK. 2001. 89–104 p.
Decker DJ, Krueger CC, Jr AB, Knuth BA, Milo E. From Clients to Stakeholders: A Philosophical Shift for Fish and Wildlife Management. 1996;(May 2015):70–82.
Okello MM. Land use changes and human–wildlife conflicts in the amboseli area, kenya. Hum Dimens Wildl [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Sep 12];10(1):19–28.
Treves A, Wallace RB, Naughton-treves L. Co-managing human– wildlife conflicts: a review. Human Dimensions of Wildlife. 2006;11(6):383–96.
Dickman AJ. Complexities of conflict : the importance of considering social factors for effectively resolving human – wildlife conflict. Anim Conserv. 2010;13(5):458–66.
Bremner A, Park K. Public attitudes to the management of invasive non-native species in Scotland. Biol Conserv. 2007;139(3–4):306–14.
Strubbe D, Matthysen E. Predicting the potential distribution of invasive ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri in northern Belgium using an ecological niche modelling approach. Biol Invasions. 2009;11(3):497–513.
IUCN. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018 [Internet]. International Union for Conservation of Nature - IUCN; 2018 [cited 2019 Mar 1].
Karami M, Ghadirian T, Faizolahi K. The atlas of mammals of Iran ; [Internet]. Jahad daneshgahi, kharazmi Branch. 2016. 290 pages.
Alborz agriculture landscape [Internet]. Ministry of Agricultural Jihad, Vice President of Planning and Economic Affairs.2014. p. 12. Availablefrom: http://alborzagri.ir/portals/71/Amar/Simaye Keshavarzi 93.pdf
Gmelin JF. Sciurus anomalus [Internet]. Syst. Nat., 13th ed. 1778 [cited 2020 Jul 10]. p. 148.
Ziaie H. A Field Guide to The Mammals of Iran. Vol. 3, Iran Wildlife Center, Tehran. 2008. 432 p.
Etemad E. Mammals of Iran. Natl Soc Nat Sources Hum Environ Prot Publ [Internet]. 1978 Feb 23 [cited 2020 Nov 10];1:273–88.
Balgu M, Abdu A. Attitudes of Female Students towards Premarital Sex and it’s Perceived Consequences in Arba Minich University. 2019 [cited 2020 Dec 23];7(1).
Nunnally JC, Bernstein IH. Psychometric theory . New York: McGraw-Hill. [Internet]. Vol. 2, Philosophical Magazine. 1994. p. 559–72.
Hair J, F. J, Anderson RE, Tatham RL, Black WC. Multivariate Data Analysis. Up Saddle River, New Jersey Prentice-Hall. 1998;5.
Fornell C, Larcker DF. Evaluating Structural Equation Models with Unobservable Variables and Measurement Error: https://doi.org/101177/002224378101800104 [Internet]. 2018 Nov 28 [cited 2021 Oct 9];18(1):39–50.
Majchrzak A, Beath CM, Lim RA, Chin WW. Managing client dialogues during information systems design to facilitate client learning. MIS Q Manag Inf Syst [Internet]. 2005 [cited 2020 Jul 12];29(4):653–72. Available from: https://www.jstor.org/stable/25148704
Chin WW, Newsted P r. Structural Equation Modeling analysis with Small Sample Using Partial Least Squares. In Rick Hoyle (Ed.). Stat Strateg Small Sample Res Sage Publ. 1999;307–41.
Shine R, Doody JS. Invasive species control: Understanding conflicts between researchers and the general community. Front Ecol Environ. 2011;9(7):400–6.
Mike Dunna, Marzanoa M, Forster J, Gill RMA. Public attitudes towards “pest” management: Perceptions on squirrel management strategies in the UK. Biol Conserv. 2018;222:52–63.
Akiba H, Miller CA, Matsuda H. Factor Influencing Public Preference for Raccoon Eradication Plan in Kanagawa, Japan. Hum Dimens Wildl. 2012;17(3):207–19.
Maurice Vane, Runhaar HAC. Public support for invasive alien species eradication programs: insights from the Netherlands. Restor Ecol. 2016;
