The role of location and social impacts of protected areas on subjective wellbeing

Abstract

Beneficial impacts on wellbeing levels of communities living near Protected Areas (PAs) is a key factor for meeting biodiversity conservation targets. Recent studies suggest that the proximity of communities to a PA influence to a significant extent their wellbeing levels. This paper explores further this argument by analysing data from approximately 800 respondents living inside or near four PAs of international importance in Greece. A Bayesian regression modelling approach testing which factors influence subjective wellbeing was applied. While wellbeing is explained by a combination of factors, the results of the study reveal that it is mainly PAs’ social impacts that have an effect on subjective wellbeing levels followed by the geographical location. This finding suggests that more effort needs to be invested in the equal distribution of PAs benefits in order to increase wellbeing and public support for these areas.