A Bad Reputation: Complexity of Perceptions Influencing Invasive Species Management

 

Melina Matheney
Dr. Elisabeth A. Hooper and Dr. Bridget Thomas, Faculty Mentors

Invasive species have greatly impacted biodiversity across the world. As a result, invasive species are known to threaten ecosystems, the economy, and human health. Continued invasions have made local invasive species removal both costly and complicated. Perhaps including human perceptions of local invasive species in management is the answer. Only recently (the past two decades), environmental researchers have begun to focus on human values and perceptions formed by historical experiences, culture, and socio-economic factors and how they impact invasive species management. Further growth in an interdisciplinary understanding of what guides local perceptions in invasive species and what that will mean for future government regulated conservation efforts is necessary. In this research, I examine the diverse perceptions of invasive species and what influences them through international literature. This integration of literature will bring unique insights to the conversation of invasive species management in the United States.

Keywords: invasive species, perceptions, management

Topic(s):Interdisciplinary Studies
Environmental Studies

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA