Demographic Factors as Predictors of Environmental Attitudes and Ecological Behaviour of Host Communities of Okomu National Park and Yankari Game Reserve, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the effects of six (6) demographic factors on environmental attitude and ecological behaviour of the host communities of two (2) protected areas (PAs). This study examines age, gender, marital status, level of education, income and religion to evaluate which factors best predict as well as the sub-factors that influence pro-environmental attitude and behaviour. Data collection was through questionnaire administration to the six (6) communities at Okomu National Park and five (5) communities at Yankari Game Reserve. A total of 399 residents were surveyed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, means and standard deviation. Yankari residents had 51.4% pro-environmental attitude while Okomu resident (39.1%) were anti-environmental. There was more pro-ecological behaviour from Yankari (64.1%) residents than Okomu (60.6%) residents. Inferential statistics involving categorical regression showed that demographic variables significantly predicts pro-environmental attitude accounting for 14% of the variance in environmental attitude and only 4% of the variance in behaviour. Furthermore, five (5) variables (age, gender, marital status, level of education and religion) were predictors of environmental attitudes while three (3) independent variables significantly predicted the ecological behaviour of the residents. It is recommended that understanding the variables that influence the local residents’ environmental attitude and behaviour and integrating into environmental education, development initiatives and conservation policies is very important in achieving a successful management plan and functioning of protected areas.