Abstract ID: 3.12416 | Accepted as Talk | Talk/Oral | TBA | TBA

The use of natural areas has intensified and diversified, particularly since the health crisis and the rise in summer temperatures. This increase in visitor numbers has consequences for wildlife. In addition to habitat fragmentation, human activity in the mountains forces animals to alter their behavior or habitats: humans, whether they pose a real threat (hunters) or not (hikers), create a “landscape of fear” with potentially significant demographic consequences, due to the continuous and frequent nature of recreational activities. Many initiatives to preserve ecosystems and biodiversity have emerged to mitigate the negative impacts of humans on nature, such as establishing protective statuses that impose usage restrictions on practitioners. However, human behavior does not always comply with regulations, which can undermine biodiversity preservation policies and actions. It is therefore crucial to better understand the diversity of values, attitudes, opinions, and motivations that drive the variety of behaviors observed in nature and interactions with wildlife. This requires studying the influence of knowledge on one hand, and personal factors on the other. Research shows that experiences in nature contribute to shaping our personal trajectory in terms of our relationship with nature. However, the impact of past nature experiences is still largely overlooked in studies on the internal and external factors explaining behaviors towards wildlife and regulations in protected areas.
Our interdisciplinary research project involving sociology, geography, psychology and ecology, focusing on human-animal-nature relations in the mountains. It is taking place in two peri-urban mountain massifs (Bauges and Belledonne) that are facing increasing and diversifying practices. Based on questionnaire survey, we compare responses between protected areas and activities practiced, focusing on:
– characterization of users and their practices,
– the perception of wild animals and of the disturbance caused by one’s own practice,
– the degree of knowledge and acceptance of regulations specific to the different protection statuses.
In this presentation, we will share the initial findings of this survey, particularly those related to the impact of childhood nature experiences, the relationships that practitioners have with wild animals, the role of encounters with animals in their connection to nature, and their willingness to preserve it.