An evaluation of local, national and international perceptions of benefits and threats to nature in Tierra del Fuego National Park (Patagonia, Argentina)

Environmental scientists and managers increasingly recognize that socio-cultural evaluations expand the understanding of human-nature relationships. Here, user groups´ perceptions of the benefits from and threats to nature were analysed in Tierra del Fuego National Park, Argentina. We hypothesized that the different relationships of users to this place would lead to significantly different valuations among local Ushuaia residents (n = 122), Argentine nationals (n = 147) and international tourists (n = 294). All users perceived a broad spectrum of benefits. The three groups assessed intrinsic and relational values more highly than instrumental benefits, and significant differences included a higher mean valuation of benefits by Argentine visitors. Overall, threats were less perceived than benefits, and significant differences included a higher mean threat assessment by Ushuaia residents. To explain these relationships, we found that mean valuations of benefits and threats were weakly related to increased biodiversity knowledge for residents and international tourists, but not for Argentine visitors. These findings can orient environmental management in Patagonia and elsewhere by identifying areas where information can improve user experiences and by contributing a more pluralistic understanding of nature from multiple stakeholders.Fil: Mrotek, Aaron. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Anderson, Christopher Brian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Austral de Investigaciones Científicas; Argentina. Northern Arizona University.; Estados Unidos. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Valenzuela, Alejandro Eduardo Jorge. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego, Antártida e Islas del Atlántico Sur. Instituto de Ciencias Polares, Recursos Naturales y Ambiente. Departamento de Biología; Argentina. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Manak, Leah. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Weber, Alana. Northern Arizona University.; Estados UnidosFil: Van Aert, Peter Louisa Petrus. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Malizia, Mariano. Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego; ArgentinaFil: Nielsen, Erik A. Northern Arizona University.; Estados Unido