title: Coral reefs and residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands: a relationship of knowledge, outdoor activities and stewardship.
abstract: To test the hypotheses that U.S. Virgin Islanders' knowledge about local coral reefs is correlated with behavior, and that different sociological groups of residents have different patterns of knowledge and behavior, a mixed approach to surveying residents was used: (1) personal interviews were held in public locations and (2) an online version of the survey was administered to residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands. From July-October 2008,462 residents over 18 years old were surveyed. Results indicate that people who engaged in outdoor activities knew significantly more about coral reefs (Spearman p < 0.01, r2 = -0.128). Those more knowledgeable about coral reefs engaged in more positive stewardship activities (e.g. beach clean-ups) (Spearman p < 0.01, r2 = 0.127). Negative behaviors (e.g. anchoring on reef) were not significantly correlated with increased knowledge of coral reefs (Spearman p = -0.911, r2 = -0.000025). Fishers did not have greater ability in identifying Acropora palmata coral than non-fishers (chi2 = 4.138, p = 0.126); however, swimmers, snorkelers and divers (as a class) were more able to identify A. palmata than non-swimmers (chi2 = 9.764, p = 0.002). Most residents identified sea turtle species as endangered (hawksbill turtle, 78.9%) but only 48.2% of the responses included Acropora spp. as threatened. Resident attitudes towards conservation of local resources were overwhelmingly positive.
authors.affiliation: University of the Virgin Islands, Science and Math Department, 2 John Brewers Bay, St. Thomas, US Virgin Island 00802, USA. chrismsettar@gmail.com
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Settar
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D057894:Coral Reefs; D005260:Female; D005398:Fisheries; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011998:Recreation; D014767:United States Virgin Islands; D055815:Young Adult