Although the vast majority of Floridians feel uneducated or uninformed about endangered and invasive species, residents are interested in learning about and addressing the issues, according to a study by the UF/IFAS Center for Public Issues Education.
Only 7 percent of Floridians consider themselves to be highly or extremely knowledgeable about invasive species, with 21 percent indicating they had no knowledge about the topic. Seventy-two percent believed they were slightly or fairly knowledgeable.
Only 11 percent of Floridians considered themselves highly or extremely knowledgeable of which species are endangered, compared to 55 percent who said they had no knowledge or were slightly knowledgeable. Residents were most informed about the threats to endangered species, with 56 percent saying they were at least fairly knowledgeable.
PIE Center researchers added questions to this year’s endangered species survey to measure Floridians’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors regarding invasive species, according to associate director Alexa Lamm. More than 500 Floridians responded to the online survey, which is designed to represent the entire state according to 2010 Census information.
“Previous surveys we’ve done have shown significant confusion and misunderstanding about the various issues facing Florida,” Lamm said. “This one, however, is the first that showed true knowledge gaps in that Floridians generally do not feel informed about the issues of endangered and invasive species.”
Although 59 percent said they hadn’t noticed endangered species coverage in the news, 82 percent indicated they would be likely or very likely to pay attention. Similarly, 79 percent would be likely or very likely to read about invasive plants and animals.
“Despite that lack of information, residents seem to be very interested in reading and learning more,” said Lamm, an assistant professor in the Deparment of Agricultural Education and Communication. “This is a great opportunity for IFAS and organizations across the state and the country to educate people who are hungry for knowledge. They can start with a blank slate instead of first correcting misperceptions.”
Forty percent of Floridians said they did not know how to prevent invasive species from entering the state with another 26 percent saying they were only slightly knowledgeable. Thirteen percent believed that they were highly or extremely informed.
Further, 25 percent were unaware of the types of invasive species living in Florida, with 38 percent saying they were slightly informed. Only 8 percent believed themselves to be highly or extremely knowledgeable.
Roughly half of Floridians said they had no knowledge about what state officials were doing to prevent or control invasive species. Only 7 percent considered themselves highly or extremely knowledgeable about the governmental actions.
The survey is part of the PIE Center’s series of public opinion research. Other topics include water quality and quantity, immigration and food production practices.
