The Effects of Past Experiences in Nature on Behaviors for "Satoyama" Conservation

Abstract

It is important for a sustainable society to conserve "satoyama", bountiful nature and symbiotic relationships between human and nature. Today, environmental information that raises a consciousness for "satoyama" conservation and gives an incentive for conservation-behavior is necessary. This study focuses on the effects of past experiences in nature as environmental information. We conducted a questionnaire survey to clear up the effect of past experiences in nature on the consciousness and behavior for "satoyama" conservation, and further verified relationships between experiences in nature and behavior by means of covariance structure analysis. As a result, it is proved that experiences in nature, especially having contacts with nature and agricultural experiences have effects in raising a consciousness for "satoyama" conservation.