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Identifying determinants of nations' wetland management programs using structural equation modeling: an exploratory
M K La Peyre1, I A Mendelssohn, M A Reams
1Department of Oceanography and Coastal Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803, USA. mlapey@lsu.edu
Environmental Management
|June 8, 2001
Summary
Nations with higher social capital show better wetland protection. Economic development, however, may decrease wetland protection, highlighting the need for explicit policies and social development focus.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Sociology
- Political Science
Background:
- Integrated models link environmental solutions to national socioeconomic and political factors.
- Wetland management is a critical area for exploring these integrated approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically investigate the relationship between national characteristics and wetland management efforts.
- To evaluate models of national wetland management effort and protection.
Main Methods:
- Structural equation modeling was employed.
- Data from 90 nations, defined by participation in the international wetland convention, were analyzed.
- Five predictor variables were used: social capital, economic capital, environmental and political characteristics, and land-use pressure.
Main Results:
- Multivariate models explained 60% of the variation in national wetland protection efforts.
- Social capital demonstrated the largest direct positive effect on wetland protection.
- Increasing economic development showed a negative linear relationship with wetland protection.
Conclusions:
- Increased social development is linked to improved wetland protection.
- Explicit wetland protection policies are crucial, especially during economic development.
- Government, environmental characteristics, land-use pressure, and social capital collectively influence wetland protection.
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