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

of the pandemic. A number of studies 62-67 revealed that of biodiversity, thus positively impacting public attitude
growing global attention toward COVID-19 intensified toward the loss of biodiversity (e.g., Masseti, 2009). 69
public concerns toward biodiversity. A significant portion Two factors were found insignificant: Bird extinction and
of people, especially the more educated segment of society, plant extinction. In contrast, statistical results for hypotheses
developed a sense of connection with the outside world H4 and H5 show that bird extinction and plant extinction
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(Whitburn et al., 2019), appreciating nature biodiversity. do not significantly affect public attitude toward biodiversity
The present study’s findings are also consistent with the conservation, although a wealth of literature predominantly
findings mentioned above. It is therefore proposed that supports the idea that plant and bird extinctions potentially
raising public awareness of pandemics through media and contribute to the loss of biodiversity. However, this research
academic conferences can prevent the general population does not exhibit a significant positive relationship. There
from becoming complacent about their situation and could be several reasons which need to be studied further.
relationship with the environment. Although the data suggest that respondents are aware of
The statistical values for H1, H2, and H3 are supported, bird and plant extinctions, there is no underlying query
that is, deforestation has a significant positive relationship which conforms to their understanding in this regard.
with not only bird extinction, mammal extinction, and A significant reason for the lack of findings in the literature
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plant extinction. The social consequences of deforestation may be the absence of detailed information, knowledge,
are multifold, with the most immediate social impact of and awareness 67,71 about these aspects. The responders in
deforestation occurring at the local level accompanied by the this survey only had a basic understanding of biodiversity.
loss of ecological services provided by forest management. Nevertheless, the findings of this study will help government
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With the advancement of media, in general, and social officials and policymakers develop a better plan for
media, as well as the recent humongous debate about the advancing conservation and environmental management
burning issue of climate change, deforestation appears to initiatives. Hence, it is proposed that the questionnaires are
become a rather critical issue for human lives and survival. redesigned to capture the true essence of inquiry.

The public is increasingly looking at social media 6.1. Theoretical implications
platforms as an essential source of information regarding This study has expanded our understanding of the causes of
emerging global issues. The media trend thus becomes COVID-19 that are related to biodiversity loss. This study
a mediator between the public and deforestation and a is anticipated to add to the body of knowledge in the field
significant contributor to shaping public attitude toward since there is little existing research on the topic, particularly
biodiversity loss and turning it into acting responsibly. This in Malaysia. A theoretical framework derived from the
view is also consistent with the study by Niankara. 66
literature directs the outcomes produced. The theoretical
Furthermore, there is successful moderation of novelty of this research lies in being the first study in Malaysia
COVID-19 impact on mammal extinction and the public to examine five variables—deforestation, extinction of
attitude toward biodiversity conservation. This study mammals, birds, and plants, and the moderating effect of
adds knowledge to environmental sustainability through COVID-19 on public attitudes toward biodiversity loss—
the conservation of biodiversity by shedding light on the thereby extending the existing model. During this research,
public’s attitude toward biodiversity loss in light of the it was observed that deforestation positively correlated with
COVID-19 impact. There could be a variety of reasons the extinction of birds, mammals, and plants. The study also
for this: Geographical, cultural, or religious preferences. observed that COVID-19 moderates animal extinction and
For instance, animal sacrifice is inherent in the Muslim its impact on public perceptions of biodiversity protection.
culture, and people with low income and less education However, the statistical study showed that popular
are less sensitive toward mammal extinction and species perceptions of biodiversity protection are not significantly
in general. The context of this research is that Malaysia is impacted by the loss of birds or plants. There are variations
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a Muslim-majority country, and demographic data shows in the scope and scale of the few research that is currently
that the income level of the respondents is way below the available. In general, numerous studies have been conducted
national average monthly income—all of which are factors on the theme of biodiversity loss; however, little research has
constituting a negative influence on mammal extinction. been done after the current COVID-19 outbreak.
However, the positive beta for direct effect means that
respondents regard mammal extinction as a significant 6.2. Policy implications
threat to the loss of biodiversity, hence the potential The findings of this research have great potential for
outbreak of a pandemic. The current literature postulates policymakers (macro-level) and managers (middle-
that mammal extinction significantly contributes to the loss to-lower-level). This is because public attitude and

Volume 1 Issue 1 (2024) 12 doi: 10.36922/eer.3615