Facilitating Pro-environmental Behavior: The Role of Pessimism and Anthropocentric Environmental Values

The two primary aims of the present study were: (1) to test the constructive pessimism hypothesis in relation to pro-environmental behavior, and (2) to clarify the relationship between pro-environmental behavior and anthropocentric values. Specifically, we focused on the idea that pessimistic anticipation of the future might facilitate actions aimed at avoiding an undesirable future, and that it may also be effective for reducing the pessimistic outlook about the future (i.e., ‘constructive pessimism’). Results of structural equation modeling using questionnaire survey data obtained in Tsukuba City, Japan (n = 300) confirmed that pessimistic anticipation of future subjective well-being facilitated pro-environmental behavior in the present. We also confirmed that both ecocentric and anthropocentric values facilitated pro-environmental behavior. Results suggest that psychological factors surrounding pro-environmental behavior, including constructive pessimism, should be taken into consideration in developing better policy interventions to facilitate such behavior.     

Park pruning prompts a competitive reversal of an exotic tree, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ligustrum lucidum</Emphasis>, in urban forests of Japan

Ligustrum lucidum, a tree native to China has naturalized in Japan where it is often planted in parks and along roads. Naturalized individuals in urban woodlands have uncertain competitiveness against native species, particular in light of the frequent pruning undertaken in these woodlands. We compared fitness-related traits of Ligustrum against two co-occurring native species: a pioneer tree (Mallotus japonicus) and an understory tree (Eurya japonica) under pruned and un-pruned settings. A growth experiments where we assessed the leaf and whole plant characteristics of the 3 species under two environments simulating forest edge and forest interior, and two pruning treatments (with or without) was conducted. Under simulated forest edge without pruning, Ligustrum had lower stem growth and A_max (maximum photosynthetic rate) than Mallotus, suggesting that native species can competitively suppress invasive expansion. With pruning, however, Ligustrum resprouted vigorously in both spring and summer with significantly higher apical growth and total shoots than Mallotus and Eurya in forest edge and interior, respectively. Also, with similar A_max between resprouts of Ligustrum and Mallotus, we see a reversal of competitive advantage in favor of Ligustrum in forest edge. In the forest interior, Ligustrum exhibited shade tolerant properties (i.e., A_max, chlorophyll a/b, and leaf density) similar to Eurya but had more resprout shoots, suggesting that the invader also maintains an advantage under low light. The competitiveness of Ligustrum clearly increased with human disturbance in the form of park pruning. Such management practice can inadvertently enhance the invasiveness of exotic species in urban settings.