Community attitudes towards environmental conservation behaviour: An empirical investigation within MPAs, Malaysia

Published Date
February 2015, Vol.52:138–144, doi:10.1016/j.marpol.2014.10.015

Author 

Muhammad Mehedi Masud ^,

Fatimah Binti Kari

• Faculty of Economics and Administration, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Received 30 July 2014. Revised 20 October 2014. Accepted 20 October 2014. Available online 6 December 2014. 

Highlights

• It examines the impact of socio-economic factors on community attitudes towards CB.
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  This study has identified major environmental issues associated with MPAs.
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  This study is set to assist policy makers to formulate conservational policies.

Abstract

This study examines the establishment of Marine Park Areas (MPAs) in Malaysia with specific reference to the Tioman, Redang and Tinggi Islands off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. This study examines the impact of demographic and socio-economic factors on community attitudes towards environmental conservation behaviour. As a means to protect and conserve the vulnerable and threatened marine life, our efforts seek to assess the residents׳ wellbeing and identify major environmental issues associated with MPAs in provision of sustainable and reasonable progress in ways that assist marine life, coastal communities and economies. This paper found that demographic variables like age (β=0.210), gender (β=0.276), and socio-economic factors such as education (β=0.100), occupation (β=0.141), income (β=0.177) environmental wellbeing (EWB) (β=0.366), awareness (AWNS) (β=0.611), and social issues (SI) (β=0.389) have positive significant impact on attitudes towards environmental conservation behaviour. This implies that demographic and socio-economic factors influence MPAs communities׳ attitudes towards environmental conservation behaviour. This study is set to assist policy makers to formulate better conservational policies for enhanced conservation of marine resources as well as promote positive socio-economic development among MPAs communities.

Keywords

Community

Conservation behaviour (CB)

Environmental issues

Socio-economic factors and Marine Park areas

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  Corresponding author. Tel.: +60 132340837; fax: +60 3 7956 7252.
  
  

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