Influencing Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Behaviors: An Exploration and Experiment with Augmented Reality

TL;DR

This study explores how different message types affect boaters' intentions to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species.

Contribution

The study introduces augmented reality as a novel medium for AIS prevention messaging and compares it to traditional methods.

Findings

Boating anglers reported high intentions to perform AIS prevention behaviors.

No significant differences were found between static and dynamic message mediums in influencing behavior intentions.

Abstract

Despite significant resource allocations to thwart invasive species introduction and spread, they remain a significant issue for environments and economies alike. Aquatic invasive species (AIS) are of particular interest given the value of water within and across societies. AIS prevention activities typically include outreach and education campaigns reliant on static signage which leave opportunities for greater engagement. Addressing a primary pathway for AIS spread, this project compared the impact of static and dynamic message mediums on boating anglers’ intentions to perform AIS prevention behaviors and assessed the impact of various variables on the likelihood to perform AIS prevention behaviors. Survey results of boating anglers in one U.S. Midwestern state revealed very high self-reported intentions for prevention behaviors and no significant differences across message mediums (sign, augmented reality or simple AIS definitions). Therefore, judicious evaluation of decisions about management communication efforts remains essential across new and existing mediums.