Publications
(2025) Developing local-driven adaptive management for coexistence between humans and leopard cats. Global Ecological and Conservation, e03436. doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2025.e03436
Authors: Nguyen, L. B., Seekings, T. B. W., & Lee, C. H.
Abstract: Coexistence between humans and wildlife is the ultimate conservation goal. However, management approaches often centre on protecting species and their habitats rather than considering the perspectives of impacted communities. Working towards sustainable solutions, this study aimed to develop local-driven adaptive management plans that maximise conservation success without sacrificing local well-being, using a case study of the endangered leopard cat in Taiwan. We integrated the adaptation framework for human–wildlife coexistence into a choice experiment to examine farmers’ preferences for various adaptation strategies to identify optimal conservation efforts for social welfare. In addition, we explored the determinants of their willingness to participate in different management alternatives. Our results confirmed the existence of heterogeneity in farmers’ preferences and heterogeneity factors were subsequently identified. Behaviour change interventions should be carefully customised for specific social groups, considering their distinct perspectives. Findings also reveal the most preferred strategies: ‘Installation of appropriate fencing system to protect poultry’ and ‘Alternative non-invasive methods to control rodents to reduce secondary poisoning of wildlife’. The maximum willingness to participate in these two strategies was 11.058 and 9.267 hours/month/household, respectively. We then developed three future scenarios for coexistence in accordance with respondents’ favoured strategies, serving as guidelines for effective and adaptive conservation programmes. Our empirical evidence provides insights into local preferences for wildlife management, specifically leopard cats, as well as practical recommendations for policymakers and conservation professionals.
(2025) Assessing the public’s social acceptance of renewable energy management in Taiwan. Land, 14(1), 121.
Authors: Chen, H. C., Lee, C. H., Seekings, T. B. W., & Nguyen, L. B.*
Abstract: Renewable energy (RE) is one of the keys to achieving the global goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. Understanding the factors influencing public participation behavior and social acceptance in RE management (REM) is thus essential to a sustainable energy transition embraced by communities and stakeholders. This study aims to assess nine indicators in REM across three dimensions of social acceptance through the public lens, employing an importance–performance analysis. Our findings reveal a significant gap between the perceived importance and performance of various REM components, suggesting dissatisfaction among respondents. Furthermore, the highest priority for improvement was given to the following strategies: “strengthening communication with residents”, “reducing air pollution emissions from power plants”, “establishing supervision and management mechanisms”, and “building smart grid and power storage equipment” to ensure successful implementation of REM policies. We also found that respondents who were under 50 years of age, lived in northern Taiwan, had a higher monthly income, and had a better awareness of social acceptance were more likely to participate in the energy transition. The insights gained from this study outline policy implications for improving the public’s social acceptance and advancing the development of RE in Taiwan, contributing to the world’s carbon-neutral mission.
(2024) Integrating locals’ importance–performance perception of community resilience into sustainable indigenous tourism management. Sustainability, 16(12), 5070. doi.org/10.3390/su16125070
Authors: Chen, C. C., Chook, J. W., Nguyen, L. B., & Lee, C. H.
Abstract: Community resilience and capacity building are key elements in sustainable Indigenous tourism (SIT) and local development, specifically as factors affecting locals’ participation in and communities’ resilience perceptions toward SIT. This study aimed to establish an evaluation framework for SIT in Taiwan based on the aspect of community resilience, using an importance–performance analysis (IPA). We quantitatively surveyed 506 local residents in two touristic townships inhabited by Indigenous tribes: Datong Township in Yilan County and Fengbin Township in Hualien County. Our empirical results reveal a significant gap between the perceived importance and performance of community resilience in SIT. Moreover, the following strategies were prioritized by respondents to enhance local capacity building for SIT: “assisting in building green landscape in the community”, “assisting in creating tribal landscape based on local traditional culture”, and “planning cultural activities based on local traditional knowledge”. Finally, participants who (1) had a higher educational level, (2) lived in the Datong Township, (3) had better attitudes toward job opportunities in sustainable tourism, and (4) had higher perceptions of community resilience were more likely to participate in SIT. Our outcomes synthesize the theoretical constructs and policy implications for community resilience in SIT management that benefit local Indigenous communities.
(2024) Integrated adaptation strategies for human–leopard cat coexistence management in Taiwan. Sustainability, 16(10), 4031. doi.org/10.3390/su16104031
Authors: Nguyen, L. B., Chen, H. C., Seekings, T. B. W., Dhungana, N., Chen, C. C., & Lee, C. H.
Abstract: In Taiwan, the leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis chinensis) remains the only extant native wild cat species. Previous studies have suggested anthropogenic factors as a cause of their decline, mainly due to conflicts with local farmers. Adaptation strategies that generate co-benefits are key to achieving human–wildlife coexistence. However, an understanding of the local views on such strategies is currently lacking. In this study, we performed the first regional assessment of 10 adaptation strategies for human–leopard cat coexistence and examined the impact of the socio-demographic factors affecting farmers’ willingness to participate in these strategies based on quantitative interviews with 418 farmers in Miaoli County, employing an importance–performance analysis. We also present an integrated conceptual framework capturing five adaptation strategy domains and their resulting benefits, which lay the structural foundation for facilitating resilient coexistence. Our findings suggest that (1) respondents’ perceived importance and performance of adaptation strategies were significantly different; (2) respondents most agreed with improvements in the incorporation of local knowledge/skills into science and policy and the establishment of adaptive co-management with local associations/non-governmental organisations; and (3) respondents aged below 49 years, supportive of coexistence, who did not own poultry, and preferred local farmer organisations to facilitate coexistence, were more likely to participate in the proposed adaptation strategies. Our findings provide guidelines for the future direction of the conservation and management of leopard cats that help achieve harmonious coexistence in shared landscapes.
(2021) Understanding consumer demand for bushmeat in urban centers of Cameroon with a focus on pangolin species. Conservation Science and Practice, 3(6), e419. doi.org/10.1111/csp2.419
Authors: Nguyen, L. B.*, Fossung, E. E., Affana Nkoa, C., & Humle, T.
Abstract: Bushmeat consumption remains significant in urban Central Africa. Increasing urbanization has fueled bushmeat trade and become a threat to endangered species like the pangolin. Behavioral change interventions may help reduce demand for pangolins in urban centers. However, there is still a lack of adequate locally-specific research on consumer behavior and drivers of demand to effectively guide such interventions. Our study addressed this knowledge gap through semistructured interviews to investigate consumer preferences and bushmeat consumption habits and perceptions of 597 participants in Bertoua and Ebolowa, Cameroon. Bushmeat, in general, was positively perceived as a tasty, healthy, and luxurious item that meets cultural needs, while domestic meat was negatively perceived as an unhealthy and intensively processed product. The biggest barriers to bushmeat consumption were its illegality and high price. Pangolin was among the most desired types of bushmeat. Nearly half of pangolin consumers were willing to pay more for a pangolin meal. Despite being fully protected by national laws, pangolins were consistently found in local bushmeat markets and restaurants, suggesting the ineffectiveness in law enforcement and/or communication with the public about the legal protection and current status of pangolins. Our findings provide an understanding of sociocultural consumer behavior and drivers that can help guide bushmeat demand reduction interventions in urban centers of Cameroon.
(2020) A scoping review of celebrity endorsement in environmental campaigns and evidence for its effectiveness. Conservation Science and Practice, 2(10), e261. doi.org/10.1111/csp2.261
Authors: Olmedo, A., Milner‐Gulland, E. J., Challender, D. W., Cugnière, L., Dao, H. T. T., Nguyen, L. B., Nuno, A., Potier, E., Ribadeneira, M., Thomas‐Walters, L., Wan, A. K. Y., Wang, Y. F., & Veríssimo, D.
Abstract: The use of celebrities in marketing campaigns is widespread globally, including in environmental conservation. Celebrity endorsements are pervasive, but there is limited evidence of their effectiveness. We conducted a review of celebrity-endorsed environmental campaigns. We report on the extent to which celebrities have been used in these campaigns, whether evaluation of the endorsement has been conducted, and assess whether there is evidence that the celebrities achieved the objectives they set out to accomplish through their engagement. We searched the peer-reviewed and grey literature in six languages from July 2018 to January 2019 and found 79 campaigns implemented in nine countries from 1976 to 2018. Two thirds of campaigns were implemented in China and reported in Chinese. Only four campaigns were evaluated, but none of the evaluations provided evidence of the effectiveness of celebrity endorsement. Evaluation focused instead on overall campaign outputs and outcomes. Claims of effectiveness were made, but the lack of measurable objectives, theory of change, outcome indicators, and critical evaluation renders it impossible to determine whether the outcomes achieved by the campaigns can be attributed to celebrity endorsement. It thus remains unclear whether celebrity endorsement can contribute to conservation efforts. It is essential for environmental practitioners and researchers to report the outcomes and lessons learned from celebrity endorsements to ensure that their future use in conservation marketing campaigns is evidence-based, thereby improving conservation practice.