Study title

Ecological Thresholds in Coastal Areas - International Expert Survey 2008

Dataset ID Number

FSD2486

Persistent identifier

urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2486

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE)

Abstract

The survey charted experts' views on ecological thresholds in coastal areas.

First, the perceived importance of various thresholds was examined. The respondents were presented with a two-dimensional graph, which probed their views on the probability of the existence of various thresholds vis-à-vis the capacity of present management and governance structures to prevent exceeding these thresholds. In addition, they were presented with a set of attitudinal statements on exceeding various thresholds. Another two-dimensional graph was used to probe views on the current level of public acceptance of the measures needed to avoid passing ecological thresholds vis-à-vis the level of current scientific knowledge on the measures needed to avoid passing the thresholds. Finally, the respondents were presented with a set of attitudinal statements on the knowledge of ecological thresholds and on management strategies for them.

Background variables included the respondent's gender, age, education, country, and field of expertise.

Keywords

coasts; ecology; environmental management; professional personnel

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Natural sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• Environment and conservation (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (B) available for research, teaching and study.

Data Collector

• Finnish Environment Institute

Data Producers

• European Union

Time Period Covered

2008

Collection Dates

2008-03-26 – 2008-05-09

Nation

Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Lebanon, Malesia, Philippines, India, Thailand, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil

Geographical Coverage

Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Norway, Croatia, Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Lebanon, Malesia, Philippines, India, Thailand, Australia, United States, Canada, Brazil

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Researchers and experts of coastal management and ecological thresholds in coastal areas

Time Method

Cross-section

Sampling Procedure

Non-probability: Purposive

Non-probability: Respondent-assisted

The survey was distributed to experts familiar with environmental protection and ecological thresholds in coastal areas. The sample population consisted of 1,076 e-mail addresses. It is likely that some additional responses came from persons outside the sample, because the respondents who refused to participate in the survey were encouraged to forward the invitation to a potentially interested colleague. Additionally, the invitation to participate to the survey was sent to the PRD e-mail list co-ordinated by the Resilience Alliance. This list consists of about 320 members. The total number of responses was 321, out of which one contained no data.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Web-based (CAWI)

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

28

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: English.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Number of Cases and Variables

74 variables and 320 cases.

Data Version

1.0

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE): Ecological Thresholds in Coastal Areas - International Expert Survey 2008 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2010-03-17). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD2486

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Special Terms and Conditions for Access

Users of the data shall send the Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) a copy of all publications based on or using the data. The copies shall be sent to the mail address: Suomen ympäristökeskus (SYKE) PL 140, 00251 Helsinki, Finland.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Related Materials

Lyytimäki, Jari & Hildén, Mikael & Aberra, Zelealem & Lindholm, Matti (2008): The significance of ecological thresholds in coastal areas. Results of an international web survey. Helsinki : Suomen ympäristökeskus. Suomen ympäristökeskuksen raportteja 21/2008.

Related Publications

Lyytimäki, Jari & Hildén, Mikael & Aberra, Zelealem & Lindholm, Matti (2008): The significance of ecological thresholds in coastal areas. Results of an international web survey. Helsinki: Suomen ympäristökeskus. Suomen ympäristökeskuksen raportteja 21/2008. [verkkodokumentti] http://www.ymparisto.fi/default.asp?contentid=294589&lan=en [viitattu 24.3.2010].