Diver perceptions of Florida Keys Reef conditions by specialization level

TL;DRAbstract

Understanding diff erent user-group values, preferences, and perceptions can lead to more effi cient and eff ective management decisions, reducing confl ict and helping to balance eco-societal goals. User perceptions of reef condition, ecological health, and impacts to reefs can provide valuable information to managers on motivations, values, willingness to comply with regulations, satisfaction of experience, and potential sources of confl ict. Perceptions and values within user groups are heterogeneous in terms of motivations, satisfactions, and characteristics. Specialized divers tend to have more specifi c resource requirements. Th is study uses specialization theory to subdivide divers in the Florida Keys into meaningful specialization categories to achieve a more sophisticated understanding of diver perceptions of reef condition. Th e responses to six structured questions were analyzed to assess perceptions of ecological health and impacts to reefs. Overall, the survey results wer

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