Metaphor, Trust and Support for Non-native Species Control

Abstract

This experimental study used a representative sample of U.S. residents (N = 1,042) to test whether the use of the term “invasive” increases support for non-native species control efforts. The term invasive had a small influence on support for two out of three non-native species control methods. Trust in government predicted support for all three control methods, and trust in scientists predicted support for two of the methods. We also found stronger support for control methods using gene editing technologies than control methods using poison.