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Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Environmental Sciences

Florida International University

2016

Awareness

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Full-Text Articles in Physical Sciences and Mathematics

A Study On Residents' Perceptions And Attitudes Towards The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge In Puerto Rico, Ana C. Guzman Mar 2016

A Study On Residents' Perceptions And Attitudes Towards The Vieques National Wildlife Refuge In Puerto Rico, Ana C. Guzman

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Conflicts between local people and protected areas can undermine conservation goals. This study explores perceptions towards Vieques National Wildlife Refuge (VNWR), a complex former military site containing a combination of high ecological value along with an array of unexploded ordnances. The purpose of this research is to evaluate how residents perceive VNWR and elucidate conflicts associated with former and current uses of the wildlife refuge. Here, I interviewed 235 residents of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico using semi-structured surveys and 33 key informants representing various stakeholder groups to assess attitudes toward VNWR.

A combination of factors influencing attitudes about VNWR included …