Factors Influencing the Voluntary Participation of Local Citizens in the Control of Invasive Alien Species around Lake Biwa

Abstract

This study aims to clarify the factors influencing the voluntary participation of local citizens in the control of an invasive alien species, namely Ludwigia grandiflora ssp. grandiflora. Data were collected via questionnaires distributed to the members of a nonprofit organization located close to Lake Biwa, Japan, in July 2013. Data analysis revealed that voluntary participation in the control of the invasive species was influenced not by the respondent’s abstract knowledge of biodiversity, but rather by his or her specific knowledge of the species. The voluntary participation may increase, if the respondent aims to exterminate the species. Moreover, the respondent who was not habituated to solving imminent environment issues did not participate in the activity. In addition, the distance between the respondents’ residents to the location of the activity inversely affected their participation.