Perceiving desertification from the lay perspective in Northern China

In recent years it has become increasingly recognized that resolving desertification is better achieved by winning over the local population than by imposing an 'expert' solution from above. However, little research has so far been conducted into the environmental perceptions of the general public in China. This study aimed to contribute to this important area of research by empirically exploring the lay public's environmental perceptions regarding desertification in Minqin County in Gansu Province, northern China. The study adopted as its theoretical underpinnings Zube and Sell's Process Model of the Perception of and Response to, Environmental Change (1986). The primary data was collected via a questionnaire survey (n= 1138) administered between 14 and 31 December 2002. The major findings of the questionnaire survey were: (1) although many respondents were aware of desertification, they did not fully understand the various issues involved; (2) respondents' perceptions of desertification were significantly affected by their personal attributes; and (3) there was a considerable difference in the way in which desertification in Minqin County was perceived by experts and laymen respectively. As far as the policy implications of these findings are concerned, two approaches are essential to encourage self-motivated social participation to resolve desertification in Minqin County: (1) the different perceptions of laymen and experts of the problem must be addressed at the outset in the formulation of any desertification-mitigating policies; and (2) any attempts to educate the lay public should not assume the existence of a homogenous community of like-minded people. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.