Invasive conifers are reshaping New Zealand’s native grasslands, but many visitors fail to recognise the threat. Lovelock and colleagues surveyed 231 tourists at popular sites, revealing low awareness of this botanical invasion. Their study highlights a critical challenge: how to garner public support for controlling these fast-spreading trees when many, especially international visitors, view them as attractive additions to the landscape.
The team found that over half of visitors had never heard terms like “wild conifer” or “invasive conifer.” International visitors, especially those from China and other Asian countries, were more accepting of wild conifers in the landscape. Younger visitors (under 40) were more likely to view these invasive trees as attractive features they’d like to see in New Zealand. These findings suggest a significant gap in ecological awareness among tourists, potentially hampering conservation efforts.
Researchers surveyed visitors at popular South Island tourist viewpoints, using a questionnaire to assess awareness of wild conifers and attitudes toward their control. The survey, available in English and Mandarin, targeted both domestic and international visitors. Questions covered topics such as perceptions of wild conifers’ attractiveness, ecological impact, and support for control measures. Responses were analysed to identify differences based on visitor origin, nationality, age, and gender.
Previous research has shown low awareness of invasive species among visitors to natural areas. This study is the first to examine international visitors’ perceptions of wild conifers in New Zealand. The findings suggest a need for targeted conservation messaging to different visitor groups. Understanding these varied perceptions is crucial for developing effective strategies to manage invasive species, especially in areas where tourism and conservation interests intersect.
Lovelock, B., Ji, Y., Carr, A., & Blye, C. J. (2024). Not seeing the wood for the (invasive) trees: Visitors’ perceptions of invasive wilding conifers in the New Zealand landscape. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 48, 100818. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2024.100818 (OA)
