Valentina Fomenko

Bio: Valentina Fomenko is an academic researcher from Oregon State University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cadastre & Archaeology. The author has an hindex of 1, co-authored 1 publications receiving 47 citations.

Correlates and Consequences of Public Knowledge Concerning Ocean Fisheries Management

Abstract: Because everyday citizens and nonexpert stakeholders are either directly or indirectly involved in ocean health restoration plans and engage in activities that may place fisheries at risk, it is important to understand the scope and depth of their policy-relevant knowledge. Using a mail survey of more than 3000 Pacific Northwest U.S. citizens, we investigated levels of coastal and ocean policy-relevant knowledge, information sources associated with higher levels of policy-relevant knowledge, and relationships between knowledge and support for Pacific fisheries restoration. We found that citizens knowledgeable about ocean conditions were most supportive of ocean and coastal protection; that somewhat malleable situational factors are important predictors of knowledge; and that some sources of information are more directly connected to knowledge than others. This study concludes that public knowledge is a critical component of support for ocean and coastal management and that there are effective mea...

Implementation of land management under the conditions of marital law

Abstract: On the basis of the analysis of the adopted changes to the land legislation and legal acts regulating land relations during the martial law, it was proved that their adoption was not done in a systematic way. It was found that the established special rules related to the implementation of land management and disposal of land plots for the period of martial law have different goals. It is about simplifying the procedure for disposal of agricultural lands – on the one hand, and on the other hand – activities in the field of land management, land cadastre and land valuation are complicated. It is substantiated that the changes that were made urgently highlighted the problem of imperfect land legislation in general, since the land legislation in force before the start of the war was designed exclusively for peacetime, because the issues of public access to sensitive information, such as: cartographic information, information on the purpose of land plots, names of land uses, names of subjects of land relations, etc. It has been established that the problem related to the provision of business entities and citizens under martial law for the provision of services for the preparation of land management documentation, topographical, geodetic and cartographic works has been resolved. For this purpose, the provision of special permits by the Security Service of Ukraine has been introduced. The urgent need for systematic adjustment of land legislation, both in the context of land management during the period of martial law and after its end (recovery period), as well as the need for harmonization of legislation in connection with European integration, which will become the basis for further research, is substantiated.

The use (and abuse) of the new environmental paradigm scale over the last 30 years: A meta-analysis

Abstract: This paper reports a meta-analysis of studies using the New Environmental Paradigm (NEP) Scale over the last 30 years. A review of 69 studies from 36 countries (including 58,279 participants from 139 samples) shows that there is considerable variation in the way the NEP Scale is used, particularly with regards to the number of items used and the number of points on the Likert scale employed. Results from weighted regression analyses reveals that variations in sample type and scale length have a significant effect on NEP scores. In particular, environmentalist and white-collar samples scored significantly higher on the NEP Scale than nationally or regionally representative samples, while blue-collar samples scored significantly lower; and participants scored higher on 6-item versions of the scale than on the revised 15-item version, and lower on versions of the scale containing 5, 7, 8 or 10 items. Implications of this research for the comparability of previous studies using the NEP Scale are discussed and guidelines for future research are presented.

Public ocean literacy in the United States

Abstract: The 2004 Pew Ocean Commission report suggests a need to improve public literacy about oceans. The authors of the report assume that enhancing public awareness and knowledge of oceans will lead to increased public support for ocean restoration efforts. Following this line of reasoning, our study investigates current levels of public knowledge and informedness concerning oceans, and also explores the correlates of knowledge holding. Using data gathered from a national random sample of 1233 citizens in Summer/Fall 2003, two hypotheses—trans-situational and situation-specific—are examined as explanations of public knowledge levels concerning ocean policy issues. The trans-situational hypothesis evaluates socioeconomic status (SES) as an explanation for levels of knowledge. The situation-specific hypothesis evaluates personal experiences and contexts that might overcome SES characteristics. We also examine the effect of information source use on knowledge holding. Findings suggest that both trans-situational and situation-specific hypotheses are useful in explaining knowledge levels. We also find that information sources, such as newspapers and the internet, are likely to improve citizen knowledge on ocean issues, while television and radio have a negative effect.

Can Beach Cleans Do More Than Clean-Up Litter? Comparing Beach Cleans to Other Coastal Activities

Abstract: Coastal visits not only provide psychological benefits but can also contribute to the accumulation of rubbish. Volunteer beach cleans help address this issue, but may only have limited, local impact. Consequently, it is important to study any broader benefits associated with beach cleans. This article examines the well-being and educational value of beach cleans, as well as their impacts on individuals' behavioral intentions. We conducted an experimental study that allocated students (n = 90) to a beach cleaning, rock pooling, or walking activity. All three coastal activities were associated with positive mood and pro-environmental intentions. Beach cleaning and rock pooling were associated with higher marine awareness. The unique impacts of beach cleaning were that they were rated as most meaningful but linked to lower restorativeness ratings of the environment compared with the other activities. This research highlights the interplay between environment and activities, raising questions for future research on the complexities of person-environment interactions.

Community Knowledge about Water: Who Has Better Knowledge and Is This Associated with Water-Related Behaviors and Support for Water-Related Policies?

Abstract: Sustainable approaches to water management require broad community acceptance of changes in policy, practice and technology, which in turn, requires an engaged community. A critical first step in building an engaged community is to identify community knowledge about water management, an issue rarely examined in research. To address this, we surveyed a representative sample of Australian adults (n = 5172). Knowledge was assessed using 15 questions about impact of household activities on waterways, the urban water cycle, and water management. This survey also examined demographics, psychosocial characteristics, exposure to water-related information, and water-related behaviors and policy support. Participants correctly answered a mean of 8.0 questions (Range 0-15). Most respondents knew that household actions can reduce water use and influence waterway health, whereas less than one third correctly identified that domestic wastewater is treated prior to entering waterways, urban stormwater is not treated, and that these are carried via different pipes. Higher water knowledge was associated with older age, higher education and living in non-urban areas. Poorer water knowledge was associated with speaking a language other than English in the home. Garden size, experience of water restrictions, satisfaction, waterway use for swimming, and certain information sources were also associated with knowledge. Greater water knowledge was associated with adoption of water-saving and pollution-reduction behaviors, and support for both alternative water sources and raingardens. These findings confirm the importance of community knowledge, and identify potential subgroups who may require additional targeting to build knowledge and support for water management initiatives.

The ‘Blue Gym’: What can blue space do for you and what can you do for blue space?

Abstract: The Blue Gym Initiative was created in the UK in 2009 to explore: (1) whether blue space environments might be positively related to human health and well-being; and (2) whether the public could be encouraged to preserve and protect these environments. Whilst the wider initiative considers all blue spaces including inland bodies of water (e.g. lakes, rivers and canals as well as the coasts and oceans), to date the focus has been primarily on marine and coastal environments. In this paper, we provide a brief history of the Blue Gym Initiative, and outline some of the research that has emerged to date. An important early finding was the observation that individuals living near the coast are generally healthier and happier than those living inland; much subsequent work has tried to understand why this might be. More recently we have begun to focus on how to promote pro-marine behaviours (e.g. sustainable fish choice, reduction of plastic use, avoidance of littering). This strand is still very much work in progress but highlights the importance of understanding public awareness, values and attitudes and the power of visualization in communicating the marine sustainability issues. We conclude with a brief discussion of some of the implications of the findings and future research needs.