Public perceptions of tree plantations: A mixed-methods study of trees as an alternative crop, family farming, and the poplar farm program.

摘要

This research describes public perceptions of tree plantations, and calls for greater public participation in their development and establishment. The study consists of two separate elements. The interview study describes findings from 31 interviews with key informants, indicating farming identity, trust, and competition as important central themes. The survey study is based on a questionnaire developed using the key themes uncovered in the interview study. Using indices and path analysis, I model the structure underlying opinions of Alberta-Pacific Forest Industries' Poplar Farm Program, specifically relations to family farming and the meaning of trees on farmland. Valuation of family farming is found to have the strongest predicting effect on resistance to planting trees on farmland, which, in turn, is found to have a significant negative effect on support for the Poplar Farm Program. The findings between the two stages of the study are compared and contrasted, and policy recommendations are presented.