Stories reveal plural values of human–coyote interactions at the sample and individual scales in Vermont, United States

Le résumé fourni par la source

Abstract Background. Measuring plural values of nature in ways designed to inform policy and practice can advance decision‐making that reflects diverse worldviews and value systems. Plural valuation is also theorized as a promising method for capturing nuance and identifying common ground, but this potential is rarely tested. Developing and testing methods for plural value elicitation is a priority for the field. Research goal. We investigate whether a story‐based approach is effective for gathering information on instrumental, intrinsic and relational values as well as their potential interplay. We further explore whether plural valuation can provide new insights into a contentious wildlife management issue: living with Eastern coyotes in Vermont, United States. Methods. We analyse a community social science sample of 150 stories about human–coyote interactions for value statements and attitudes about coyotes. Results. We find that instrumental, intrinsic and relational values co‐occur both in the sample as a whole and in some individual interviewees' accounts of their coyote experiences. We also report on general attitudes about coyotes and explore the ways that these attitudes do and do not align with the values and disvalues evoked in specific coyote encounters. Policy and practice implications. We conclude with suggestions for how plural valuation data could guide decision‐makers, both in our study area and more broadly, towards identifying new ways to approach and defuse polarized discourses around wildlife management and coexistence. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.