Tourists perceptions of insects as the determinants of insect conservation through entomological ecotourism

Mohammad Zulhusni Zakaria, . and Kalsum M. Yusah, . and Norradihah Ismail, . and Noor Izwan Anas, . and Muhammad Shafiq Hamdin, . and Asfarina Ismail, . and Aqilah Awg. Abd. Rahman, . and Zulhazman Hamzah, . and Gao Le, . and Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, . and Nordiana Mohd. Nordin, . and Mahadimenakbar Mohamed Dawood, . Tourists perceptions of insects as the determinants of insect conservation through entomological ecotourism. pp. 79-95. ISSN 2550-1909

Insects are commonly featured in recreation and tourism around the world despite the generally negative public perception surrounding them. Many people enjoy watching butterflies in insectarium gardens observing and collecting dragonflies and admiring the light displays of fireflies. In many cases activities like these are becoming increasingly popular and these positive interactions with insects encourage public appreciation of insects but vary acuities in their forms and approaches. Thus understanding the pattern of insect appearances in recreation and tourism activities in a variety of discernments can provide important insights into effective ways of promoting insect conservation through ecotourism which is often overlooked in biodiversity conservation strategies. However these types of interdisciplinary studies are relatively new and remain limited in both entomology and tourism sciences. A field survey was carried out at Kangkawat Research Station Imbak Canyon Conservation Area where a 1 kilometre entomological ecotourism trail was designed and developed to incorporate insects in enhancing ecotourism at the reserve. Insects that can be found along the 1 kilometre trail were recorded and the collection was conducted using baited traps and sweep netting. Based on the insects survey the Shannon Diversity Index (H) of Kangkawat is 4.60 while Simpson Index is 176.72 with Fisher Alpha Index at 313.3 that concludes Kangkawat Research Station insect richness to be the second highest after the Crocker Range. In adressing the knowledge gaps between insect conservation and ecotourism a survey on attitudes towards insects was designed and then completed by 384 tourists around Kota Kinabalu City. The standardized questionnaire known as the Personal Meaning of Insects Map (PMIM) was administered to tourists and their responses were elicited prior to and after observing insect photos. The results shows that spider� had the 100 connectivity in response to the most detested insect based on their previous encounters with insects. This result shows that there is an existing entomology knowledge gap among the respondents indicating the need for further interventions in terms of nature interpretation. Therefore a quality guided nature interpretation as an educational tool should take into account how the general public understands (or misunderstands) insects further and where interpretive information could be better applied if we are to develop management and educational tools that address human-insect encounters.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/jtbc/iss...

Abstract

Insects are commonly featured in recreation and tourism around the world despite the generally negative public perception surrounding them. Many people enjoy watching butterflies in insectarium gardens observing and collecting dragonflies and admiring the light displays of fireflies. In many cases activities like these are becoming increasingly popular and these positive interactions with insects encourage public appreciation of insects but vary acuities in their forms and approaches. Thus understanding the pattern of insect appearances in recreation and tourism activities in a variety of discernments can provide important insights into effective ways of promoting insect conservation through ecotourism which is often overlooked in biodiversity conservation strategies. However these types of interdisciplinary studies are relatively new and remain limited in both entomology and tourism sciences. A field survey was carried out at Kangkawat Research Station Imbak Canyon Conservation Area where a 1 kilometre entomological ecotourism trail was designed and developed to incorporate insects in enhancing ecotourism at the reserve. Insects that can be found along the 1 kilometre trail were recorded and the collection was conducted using baited traps and sweep netting. Based on the insects survey the Shannon Diversity Index (H) of Kangkawat is 4.60 while Simpson Index is 176.72 with Fisher Alpha Index at 313.3 that concludes Kangkawat Research Station insect richness to be the second highest after the Crocker Range. In adressing the knowledge gaps between insect conservation and ecotourism a survey on attitudes towards insects was designed and then completed by 384 tourists around Kota Kinabalu City. The standardized questionnaire known as the Personal Meaning of Insects Map (PMIM) was administered to tourists and their responses were elicited prior to and after observing insect photos. The results shows that spider� had the 100 connectivity in response to the most detested insect based on their previous encounters with insects. This result shows that there is an existing entomology knowledge gap among the respondents indicating the need for further interventions in terms of nature interpretation. Therefore a quality guided nature interpretation as an educational tool should take into account how the general public understands (or misunderstands) insects further and where interpretive information could be better applied if we are to develop management and educational tools that address human-insect encounters.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Insects
AGROVOC Term:	Resource conservation
AGROVOC Term:	Surveys
AGROVOC Term:	Tourism
AGROVOC Term:	Public perception
AGROVOC Term:	Public education
Depositing User:	Mr. AFANDI ABDUL MALEK
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 00:55
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/9559

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