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Sociodemographic Determinants of Poles’ Attitudes towards the Forest during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Anna Koprowicz

    (Institute of Pedagogy, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, 76-200 Słupsk, Poland)

  • Robert Korzeniewicz

    (Department of Silviculture, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

  • Wojciech Pusz

    (Department of Plant Protection, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, 50-375 Wrocław, Poland)

  • Marlena Baranowska

    (Department of Silviculture, Poznan University of Life Sciences, 60-637 Poznań, Poland)

Abstract

Attitudes towards forest ecosystems have been changing together with human needs, which is amplified with society’s increasing need to spend recreation time in the forest. The phenomenon has been particularly visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to determine the attitude of Poles to forests during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research was based on (1) a sociodemographic background questionnaire that consisted of questions about the independent variables and (2) the LAS scale—an independently prepared tool for measuring attitudes towards the forest. In the survey, 1025 people participated (673 women). The age of the subjects was between 19 and 68. The attitude towards the forest was analysed in three dimensions: Benefits, Involvement, and Fears. The Mann–Whitney U test and Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance by ranks were used for statistical analysis. Women and people with primary education expressed the most fears connected with going to the forest. Men and people living in the countryside and in small towns, as well as respondents who were professionally active and performing work connected with forests were the most involved in exploring the forest and working for its benefit. Concerning the forest, concerned women, people from the highest age group, respondents with university education, and white-collar workers notice the most benefits from recreational activities in the forest.

Suggested Citation

  • Anna Koprowicz & Robert Korzeniewicz & Wojciech Pusz & Marlena Baranowska, 2022. "Sociodemographic Determinants of Poles’ Attitudes towards the Forest during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1537-:d:737897
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Emilia Janeczko & Jan Banaś & Małgorzata Woźnicka & Krzysztof Janeczko & Katarzyna Utnik-Banaś & Stanisław Zięba & Jitka Fialova, 2024. "How Did COVID-19 Pandemic Stress Affect Poles’ Views on the Role of the Forest?," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Murphy, Martin & Cullen, Paula & O'Donoghue, Cathal & Ryan, Mary & Ní Dhubháin, Áine, 2024. "A natural experiment: Assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic upon forest recreation use and preferences in Ireland," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).

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