Are non-native plants perceived to be more risky? Factors influencing horticulturists' risk perceptions of ornamental plant species.

ABSTRACT: Horticultural trade is recognized as an important vector in promoting the introduction and dispersal of harmful non-native plant species. Understanding horticulturists' perceptions of biotic invasions is therefore important for effective species risk management. We conducted a large-scale survey among horticulturists in Switzerland (N = 625) to reveal horticulturists' risk and benefit perceptions from ornamental plant species, their attitudes towards the regulation of non-native species, as well as the factors decisive for environmental risk perceptions and horticulturists' willingness to engage in risk mitigation behavior. Our results suggest that perceived familiarity with a plant species had a mitigating effect on risk perceptions, while perceptions of risk increased if a species was pe

SUBMITTER: Humair F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4086969 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature