The
growing incidence of invasive
tree pest and disease outbreaks is
recognised as a
n
increasing
threat to ecosystem services and human
wellbeing. Linked to global trade, human movement and climate change,
a
number of outbreaks have attracted high public and media attention.
However, there is
surprisingly
little evidence characteris
ing
the
nature of
public attentiveness to
the
se
events
, nor how publics might respond to
evolving outbreaks
and
the management actions
taken. This paper presents
findings from
an online questionnaire
involving
1
,
334 respondents nationally
-
representative of the
Bri
tish
public to
assess awareness
,
concern
and
willingness to adopt biosecure behaviours.
D
espite
revealing
low levels of
awareness and knowledge,
the
results indicate that
the
British
public
is
concern
ed
about the health of trees, forests and woodlands and
is
moderately
willing to adopt biosecure behaviours.
A key finding is that
membership of
environment
al
organisations
and
strong
place identity are likely to engender
higher awareness and levels of concern about tree pests and diseases.
Further, those who v
isit woodlands regularly are likely to be more aware than
non
-
visitors, and gardeners are more likely to be concerned than non
-
gardeners.
Women, older respondents, those with
strong
place
identity
and
dependence, members of environmental organisations, woo
dland visitors and
gardeners
were most likely to express a willingness to adopt biosecure
behaviours.
A comparison with findings from a
survey
conducted by the
authors
three
years
previously
show
s
a decline over time in
awareness
,
concern and willingness.