Political ideology as a predictor of conservation attitudes: Mechanisms and implications

Political ideology is increasingly shaping public attitudes toward environmental conservation; however, empirical research linking political beliefs and biodiversity conservation remains limited. This narrative review synthesizes 28 peer-reviewed studies identified through a systematic PRISMA-based search to examine how political ideology influences conservation attitudes and behaviors. This work draws on a variety of theories, including values and worldviews, moral foundations, cultural cognition, system justification, and social identity, to synthesize the evidence and develop a conceptual framework that guides future research. Our review suggests that political ideology primarily shapes conservation attitudes through psychological mechanisms related to values, risk perception, trust, and identity. These mechanisms are reinforced by elite cues and ideologically aligned media, creating barriers to consensus even on policies grounded in science. We advocate for greater attention to political ideology in conservation research and call for the use of theoretically grounded conceptual frameworks and multidimensional measures. By recognizing the political dimensions of conservation conflict, practitioners can design more inclusive policies and communication strategies that enhance legitimacy and foster broader public engagement across ideological divides.