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Explora: Environment
and Resource COVID-19 impact on forest biodiversity attitudes

this research is to investigate how biodiversity loss, due to H7b: Impact of COVID-19 moderates the indirect effect of
certain factors explained above, causes the outbreak of a mammal extinction and attitude toward biodiversity
pandemic such as COVID-19. According to the research loss.
objective of this study, the following hypotheses were H7c: Impact of COVID-19 moderates the indirect effect of
formulated to examine the moderating effect of COVID-19. plant extinction and attitude toward biodiversity loss.
The public’s perception of forest biodiversity and Finally, the literature review highlights the complex
their attitudes toward biodiversity protection have interplay between deforestation, biodiversity loss, and
changed because of the COVID-19 epidemic. This public attitudes toward environmental protection,
critical assessment of the literature looks at how these particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
attitudes and perceptions have changed in relation to By combining these insights, this study aims to better
the epidemic. Human-environment interactions are understand the factors that influence biodiversity
re-evaluated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. conservation attitudes and behaviors.
People and communities now fully understand how
human well-being and the health of natural ecosystems 3. Theoretical-conceptual framework
are interdependent. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior and literature
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According to Da Schio et al., urban parks and green review, 50-53 the potential variables were identified and
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areas receive more attention during lockdown, suggesting considered in building the research framework. The
that people rediscover the benefits of nature for their literature supported that environmental knowledge has
mental and physical well-being. Pandemics have also a significant influence on the consumer’s attitude toward
sparked debate about the links between zoonotic diseases eco-friendly behavior in the community. Figure 1 depicts
and biodiversity loss. The spread of COVID-19 has the model of the framework developed for this research.
highlighted the dangers of destroying natural ecosystems It elucidates the investigation of the pandemic outbreak
and exploiting wildlife. (COVID-19), which is influenced by the loss/change
in biodiversity. The study investigated the importance
Biodiversity conservation has grown in importance as
public understanding of these relationships has increased. of deforestation and the extinction of zoological and
botanical life. Four variables were identified as significant
There is a growing consensus that biodiversity conservation
in the context of epidemics is not only an environmental influencers. These variables are different moderating
influences of COVID-19 on public lives, deforestation,
issue but also a public health issue. In response to the extinction of bird species, extinction of mammal species,
pandemic, a study reveals pro-environmental sentiments, and extinction of plants. These variables are influenced by
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marked by a heightened sense of duty for conservation. deforestation and are postulated to significantly influence
One possible explanation for the link between species
extinction and the concept of conservation is how the the dependent variable, public attitude.
pandemic affected popular perceptions of biodiversity 4. Materials and methods
conservation.
The target population for this study is adults aged 25
The COVID-19 pandemic, as predicted (H7a, H7b, and – 64. Answering the issue of biodiversity and its risk
H7c), may increase public awareness of species extinction for the emergence of zoonotic infectious diseases may
risks, particularly those related to zoonotic diseases. It require respondents beyond the undergraduate levels. The
is anticipated that increased understanding will have a estimated population between the ages of 25 and 64 form
favorable impact on public perceptions of biodiversity 49.67% of the total population of 32.7 million in 2020.
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protection. In this research, data were collected through an online
In summary, the public’s perspective of forest survey. A self-administered questionnaire was adopted.
biodiversity and attitudes toward conservation have The questionnaire was distributed through emails and
changed because of the COVID-19 epidemic. The intricate social platforms to the target respondents. A convenience
interactions between zoonotic diseases, biodiversity, and sampling technique was used in this study. Convenience
human health are being increasingly understood. By sampling is a data collection strategy that uses a readily
connecting biodiversity conservation efforts with public available pool of respondents with no explicit criterion for
health and well-being, these new attitudes offer a chance to inclusion in the targeted respondents’ sample. Convenience
boost biodiversity conservation efforts. sampling was selected as the population is infinite and
H7a: Impact of COVID-19 moderates the indirect effect of more samples would be a better and more practical
bird extinction and attitude towards biodiversity loss. option for conducting research. Based on Morgan’s table
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Volume 1 Issue 1 (2024) 6 doi: 10.36922/eer.3615