Perception of risk and conflict intensity in an environmental conflict: A case study of wolf restoration in northern New Hampshire.

摘要

A study was designed to examine variations in perceptions of risk and of conflict intensity in an environmental conflict between two groups, identified according to the strength of their support and/or opposition to the wolf reintroduction. The conflict over the reintroduction of the wolf in the North Eastern United States and more specifically in the State of New Hampshire was treated as a case study. A survey research project was designed and a questionnaire was sent to 2,200 residents of the Northern Area of Coos County, NH. The survey assessed respondents' strength of support and of opposition to the proposed wolf reintroduction. The survey also assessed the degree of perceived risk from the wolf. Similarly, the survey measured the subjects' degree of perceived intensity of the conflict over the reintroduction of the wolf. In order to determine the levels of perceived risk, the survey included variables to assess risk resulting from wolf reintroduction to human safety, to pets, to the local economy, and the overall risk. Results of the survey based on 210 responses indicated a significantly negative correlation between the expressed levels of support to wolf reintroduction and the perceived risk from the wolf; a significantly positive correlation between the expressed strength of support and opposition over the wolf reintroduction and the perceived conflict intensity; and a significantly positive correlation between risk perception from the wolf and perceived intensity of conflict over the wolf reintroduction. The implications of these results are discussed.