ECOSYSTEM KNOWLEDGE AND ATTITUDES TO CONSERVATION
Mountaineeringmeansoutdoor activitiesin mountainous areaswhichaim toreach the highest pointof amountain. Satisfactionis attained when themountain is climbed to its summit,in addition to the physicalandspiritualsatisfactiongainedfrom contactwith thegrandeurof nature(Merriam Webster Dictionary, 2014). Mountain climbing activities are usually carried out in groups. These activities need supporting each member to reach the top of the mountain. Therefore, climbing activity requires experience, athletic ability, and technical guidelines to maintain safety during ascent (Cox, 2009).
This study will describe and assess the knowledge and attitudes of ecosystem conservation mountaineers as one of the conservation efforts of the National Park of Mount Gede Pangrango.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
The operational purpose ofthis study was to1) analyse the descriptiveknowledgeof ecosystems and conservationattitudes of mountaineers, 2) measures thestrength of the relationship with the knowledgeecosystem and conservationattitude of Mountaineersin Mount Gede Pangrango National Park. This research was conductedat Mount Gede Pangrango National ParkinMay 2015. The method usedis aqualitative research methodthroughcorrelational studies. The independent variableisthe knowledgeof ecosystemswhile the dependent variableis the attitude ofthe conservation ofmountain climbersinTNGGP.
Samples were selectedby simple random samplingof 90 mountain climbers. This research used 2 kinds of instruments, the instrument of ecosystem knowledge and the conservation attitude instrument. Aspects of knowledge instrument is based on the knowledge component consists of factual, conceptual and procedural. While the ecosystem aspect consists of components of the ecosystem, ecosystem functions, ecosystem managementandecosystemethics. Ecosystem instrument scale was a dichotomous True and False scale.
The attitude of conservation was assessed using a five point Likert scale. Score statement has a range of scores from 1 to 5 for positive and negative statements. The aspects of attitude conservation instrument are cognitive, affective, and conative (Anwar, 2007). While the conservation aspects were developed by The Law Regulation No. 5 of 1990 which consists of the activities of protection, preservation, and utilization.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
This study showed that mountain climbers had 3 purposes in mountaineering; 50% came for a new experience, 25% as a hobby and 25% climbed for fun (Diagram 1). The highest score of the knowledge ecosystem is 38 while the lowest score was 27. The average score of ecosystem knowledge is 32.43 and the standard deviation is 2.61. This research indicated that the ecosystem knowledge of 46% of the mountain climbers was classified as good and 54% classified as very good (Diagram 2).
The highest score of conservation attitude is 301 while the lowest score was 174. The average score of conservation attitude is 247.73 and the standard deviation is 24.17. This research indicated that the conservation attitude of 2% was classified as quite good, 48% as good and 50% as very good (Diagram 3)
hobb y 25%
fun 25%
new expe rienc e 50%
good very 44%
good 56%
quite good 2%
good 48%
very good 50%
Diagram 1. The Percentage of the purposes of
Diagram 2. The Percentage of the ecosystem knowledge
Diagram 3. The Percentage of conservation attitude classified
This research obtained the knowledge of mountaineers in the category of good and very good. The results suggested that there is a significant positive correlation between ecosystem knowledge and conservation attitude with the regression equation Y = 16.707 + 0.063X. The Analysis of variance is shown in Table 1.
Table 1. The Anova for significance Ŷ = 16,707 + 0,063X Y = -18.133 + 1,042X model
Model Sum of Squares df Mean Square F Sig.
1 Regression 209.633 1 209.633 46.530 .000a
Residual 396.467 88 4.505
Total 606.100 89
a. Predictors: (Constant), Conservation Attitude b. Dependent Variable: Ecosystem Knowledge
This research showed that the correlation coefficient between ecosystems knowledge and conservation attitudes was 0.588, which is included in the strong enough category of relationship. This relationship indicated that mountaineers’ conservation attitude was strong enough related to the knowledge ecosystem that is owned by mountaineers. If the ecosystem knowledge of the mountaineers is good, the conservation attitudes will also be good. Likewise, if the ecosystem knowledge of the mountaineers is bad, then the conservation attitude will also be bad.
Table 2. The Regression Model of Ŷ = -18,133 + 1,042X and the equation correlation between ecosystem knowledge and conservation attitude
Model
Unstandardized
Coefficients Standardized Coefficients
t Sig.
B Std. Error Beta
1 (Constant) 16.707 2.316 7.213 .000
Conservation Attitude .063 .009 .588 6.821 .000
a. Dependent Variable: Ecosystem Knowledge
Ecosystems knowledge has strong enough power relationship with conservation attitude.
Attitude is formed by various aspects, one of them is knowledge. Ecosystem knowledge will shape the attitudes towards conservation. Ecosystem knowledge that is owned by the mountaineers was obtained and was found that 56% had excellent knowledge and 44% had good knowledge. Ecosystem knowledge included biotic and abiotic components, functions and benefits, management systems and ethics of society. These aspects were part of the conceptual, factual and procedural aspects of ecosystem knowledge.
Mountaineers experience ecosystem knowledge since the elementary school until high school level. Mountaineers have mastered conceptual aspects of the ecosystem. They also understand the real and factual aspects in the field of ecosystems, and they understand procedurally in applying the concepts of the ecosystem in the field in this case whenclimbinga mountain.
An excellent ecosystem knowledge helps in formation of a goodattitudeas well. Attitudesinclude cognition, affection, and conative aspects whileaspects ofconservation, including protection, preservation andutilization. Themountaineerswhohas a good conservation attitude willshow good behaviourin climbing. This attitude isimportant in orderto preserve the nature, among others in themountains. The mountaineers’conservation attitudewasrated as50% excellent, 48% good and2% good enough. A good attitudeisto support theconservationattitude. Goodknowledge ofthe ecosystemwill shapea good conservation attitude. A good attitudewill buildgood behaviour. Therefore,someoneneeds to be
givenecosystem knowledge, and hope that eventuallyconservation areason the faceof the earthcan beprotectedand preserved.
Ecosystems knowledge and conservation attitudes have become important also for the management ofprotected areas, especially mountainclimbingplaceswherea lot ofthe populationturns toclimbing activities. Management blunders thatignore conservation principles will bring to the destructionof ecosystemsandconservation areasthat will ultimatelyharm the publicas well.
Ecosystem knowledge contributed as much as 34.6% to the conservation attitude of mountaineers and 65.4% was contributed by other variables include environmental awareness, environmental responsibility. Other aspects also need to be nurtured and developed so that it becomes an integral and supporting conservation attitudes and behaviour. Management in various aspects is important done either through schools, youth groups, formal institutions because mountaineers in the community are mostly young men and women. Ardahan (2012) reported that there is a positive relationship between behaviour and environmental impact of a person's participation in activities that interact with nature such as mountain climbing, hiking, camping, caving, etc.
CONCLUSION
This study concluded thatthe ecosystems knowledgehas strong enough relationship withthe attitude of conservation of mountaineers. This study implies that topreserveconservation area, a mountaineerneeds to know the basics ofecosystemknowledge, becauseknowledge ofthe ecosystem will relate tothe conservationattitude. Suggestionsfor future researchcould be made withthe addition of samplesfrom various categoriessuch as gender, educational backgroundandeducation,given the character ofmountain climbersis very varied. This is important forenvironmental preservation efforts of conserved areas.
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