Perceptions, attitudes and values of two key stakeholders on the oldest and newest Spanish national parks

Abstract

Effective protected area (PA) conservation relies heavily on positive social perception, attitude and values, especially by the stakeholders most affected by PA regulations. Random samples of residents around (n = 401) and quota samples of visitors to (n = 542) two emblematic, environmentally similar National Parks (NPs) in Spain: Ordesa y Monte Perdido NP (Ordesa NP) and Sierra de Guadarrama NP (Guadarrama NP) were surveyed on their attitudes, perceptions and values using structured questionnaires. The results show similarities and differences between stakeholder groups and NPs. Most differences can be explained by the different geographic, historical and socioeconomic contexts. Residents near Guadarrama NP visited it less frequently, whereas non-residents visited the NP more frequently than Ordesa NP. Residents’ and visitors’ perception on the conservation state was better for Ordesa NP than for Guadarrama NP. The main perceived threats by both groups were wildfires, massive visitation and insufficient environmental awareness. Local participation in management was deemed improvable in both NPs. Stated importance on both NPs was similarly high for both stakeholder groups. Half of residents and over two-thirds of visitors to both NPs were willing to pay an entrance fee. A daily fee of 3 € per person would be acceptable to most. Willingness to pay (WTP) was negatively correlated with ‘frequency of visits’ in Guadarrama NP. WTP increased substantially with measures that ensure equity, transparency and accountability. These results present PA managers with updated key stakeholders’ attitudes and perceptions, and provide a feasible alternative to regulate massive visitation and enhance financial sustainability of Spanish NPs.

Appendices

Appendix 1

See Table 2.

Table 2 Distribution of surveys to residents by national park and municipality

Appendix 2 Questionnaires to residents and visitors

The following survey forms part of the research project calledDISESGLOB. We try to ascertain the perception of visitors to Spanish national parks in order to improve their management and conservation.

This survey is anonymous and confidential. The results will be analysed by the participating institutions: Spanish National Research Council and University of Zaragoza only for research purposes and will not be shared with third parties.

We would be very grateful if you could devote 5 min to fill it in. Your contribution will greatly help us to know and conserve our national parks.

• 1. Gender:

  • Man:

  • Woman:

• 2. Age range:

  • 18–39:

  • 40–60:

  • > 60:

• 3. Main occupation (job; current or past):

• 4. Place of residence (city, country):

• 5. Do you know (complete name) National Park, either because you have ever visited it or because you know that it exists and can approximately locate it?¹

  • Yes:

  • No: (If this option is chosen, the survey finishes)

• 6. You visit (complete name) National Park:

  • Often (at least once a month):

  • Sporadically (at least once a year):

  • Seldom (less than once a year):

  • This is my first visit:

• 7. You think that (complete name) National Park is²:

  • Very well preserved:

  • Well preserved:

  • Not too badly preserved:

  • Badly preserved:

  • Very badly preserved:

  • NS/NC (en todo caso, si nunca lo ha visitado):

    Please, justify your response (main reason):

• 8. In your opinion, what is the main threat to the conservation of the National Park?³

  Please, justify your response (main reason):

• 9. You think that residents’ participation in the management of (complete name) National Park is⁴:

  • Adequate:

  • Improvable:

  • Inadequate:

  • DK/NA:

    Please, justify your response (main reason):

• 10. To you, Sierra de Guadarrama National Park is:

  • Very important:

  • Quite important:

  • Not very important:

  • Unimportant:

    Please, justify your response (main reason):

• 11. Would you be willing to pay an entrance fee⁵ to the National Park?

  • Yes:

  • No: Please, state briefly why you would not be willing to pay an entrance fee:

  • If your previous response was YES: Please, specify how much you would be willing to pay to access the National Park:

    • Up to 1€:

    • From 1-3€:

    • From 3-5€:

    • From 5-10€:

    • More than 10€:

  • If your previous response was NO: Would you be willing to pay an entrance fee to the National Park in any of the following circumstances?

    • If a reduced fee was applied to some groups such as retired people, unemployed people, students, etc.):

    • If the entrance fee was applied only to visitors (not to residents):

    • If the money collected through the fee was invested in the national park:

    • Other circumstance (open response):

• 12. Comments on the survey:

  Thank you very much!