| Gender and Education Disparities in Ecosystem Service Perceptions and Management: Implications for Sustainable Wetland Conservation in Numidia, Northeastern Algeria |
| Paper ID : 1227-IGA |
| Authors |
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Abdalah Aouadi * Department of Biology, Chadli Bendjedid University, El Tarf, Algeria |
| Abstract |
| Background and Aim: Climate change and anthropogenic pressures are degrading critical ecosystems, threatening biodiversity and human well-being. In Numidia, northeastern Algeria—a region rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage—understanding how different social groups perceive ecosystem services (ESs) is essential for effective conservation. This study aims to assess the influence of gender, education, occupation, and site status on local perceptions of provisioning, regulating, and cultural ecosystem services, with the goal of informing socially inclusive and ecologically grounded conservation strategies. Materials and Methods: The study surveyed 597 respondents across 12 wetlands (9 protected, 3 unprotected) using a structured, mixed-methods questionnaire available in the local dialect. Perceptions of ESs were measured using Likert-scale questions. Chi-Square tests were used to identify significant associations between sociodemographic variables and ES perceptions. Ordered Logit Regression Models were then applied to examine the strength and direction of these relationships. Results: Chi-Square and Ordered Logit analyses showed that education significantly shaped perceptions across all ecosystem services, particularly usage and management of provisioning services (p < 0.001). Gender had limited effect here. For regulating services, women expressed higher concern (Logit p = 0.005) and awareness of environmental change (p = 0.019), while education increased concern (p = 0.003). In cultural services, women valued these services more (p = 0.004), but higher education was linked to lower traditional engagement (p = 0.042). Site status positively influenced perceptions in both regulating and cultural categories. Conclusion: Perceptions of ecosystem services in Numidia are shaped by intersecting sociodemographic factors, particularly gender and education. Women’s concern and cultural engagement underscore the need for gender-sensitive policies, while the “awareness–engagement” gap in more educated individuals highlights the importance of integrating traditional knowledge with formal education. Conservation strategies must recognize these nuances to foster inclusive, resilient, and culturally informed biodiversity governance. |
| Keywords |
| ecosystem services, gender, education, sociodemographic factors, conservation strategies, Numidia, Algeria |
| Status: Accepted |
