Delene Weber - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Delene Weber

Journal of Educational Computing Research, Feb 9, 2022

A problem-based immersive virtual environment (IVE) about bushfire safety was developed as a lear... more A problem-based immersive virtual environment (IVE) about bushfire safety was developed as a learning tool for children aged 10–12. Its effectiveness was assessed in relation to children’s ability to determine how to be safer in a bushfire incident. A series of experiential activities were developed in the IVE with digital storytelling and two-stage embedded assessments providing children with an opportunity to engage with tasks and solve problems while receiving feedback on their performance. Changes from pre- to postsurvey results showed positive learning outcomes as evidenced by significant improvements in children’s knowledge of bushfire safety and confidence in their ability to contribute to decisions during a bushfire incident. The significant change in children’s knowledge as well as their performance at two-stage embedded assessments was independent of their gender, background knowledge and perceived ability in responding to bushfire hazards. This suggests that when appropriately designed and implemented within educational settings, immersive virtual learning tools can effectively engage children and enhance learning outcomes associated with bushfire safety. The paper also argues that such immersive problem-based learning can improve self-efficacy amongst children in relation to coping with a bushfire situation. Implications of the findings are also discussed.

Society & Natural Resources, Feb 6, 2018

Striking a balance between the management of environmental risks and values is a challenge for de... more Striking a balance between the management of environmental risks and values is a challenge for decision-makers. If people perceive that environmental risks are increasing they may be willing to discount local values to manage those risks, so the identification of thresholds in risk perception in relation to specific behaviors could help to avoid policy failures. The complex relationships between perceptions of climate change and bushfire risks, environmental values and support for actions to mitigate local risks are presented for peri-urban regions in South Australia. The results of a household survey (N=988) suggest that a threshold of risk perception in relation to climate change and bushfire management has not been exceeded and people are broadly supportive of balanced management interventions. A minority of people still do not perceive that climate change is increasing bushfire risk, and are supportive of risk mitigation interventions even at the expense of local biodiversity. However, a larger group believe that climate change is a driver of bushfire risk, yet are still more likely to prioritize ecological values and are unwilling to discount those values for risk mitigation. Targeted communication could assist different groups to respond to gaps in knowledge and action to facilitate effective, differentiated interventions within forested landscapes on the margins of urban areas.

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, Dec 19, 2019

Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) were used to test the effects of biodiversity on recovery f... more Immersive virtual environments (IVEs) were used to test the effects of biodiversity on recovery from induced stress. Three natural environments and one urban environment were used to represent ordinal levels of biodiversity (none, low, moderate, and high). The four IVEs comprised visual, auditory, and olfactory stimuli. An additional high biodiversity IVE without auditory or olfactory stimuli was also included to study the effects of multisensory stimulation per se on recovery from stress and perceptions of biodiversity. Following stress induction via a novel IVE Trier Social Stress Test (TSST-IVE), heart rate and five self-reported well-being measures were used to assess participants' recovery after immersion in one of the five IVEs. The results showed consistent well-being responses across both self-reported and physiological measures, suggesting biodiversity does directly affect human well-being. However, the relationship was not linear. For most measures of well-being, stress recovery was least effective in the urban IVE, consistent with past research. The low biodiversity IVE elicited the greatest improvement in all well-being measures except self-reported calmness. One could speculate that the landscape features of the least biodiverse IVE may elicit subconscious preferences toward savanna-like landscapes, as suggested by previous studies. The IVE depicting a moderate level of biodiversity was the least restorative of the natural environments. A multisensory experience was associated with better recovery in all measures of well-being than a visual-only experience, and perceptions of landscape components significantly differed between two identical nature scenes when auditory and olfactory stimuli were removed. Nuances in the data and implications of the findings are discussed. The results signal a need for caution and question the assumption that cultural ecosystem services align with positive outcomes for biodiversity conservation.

International Journal of Environmental Research, Jun 13, 2019

In the face of ongoing global species loss, it is vital that urban societies see the value of bio... more In the face of ongoing global species loss, it is vital that urban societies see the value of biodiversity. However, practical strategies to enhance society's appreciation of biodiversity are limited by the disparity that exists between public perceptions and expert assessments of biodiversity. To enhance our understanding of this disparity, and to provide insight into the visual cues that influence laypeople's perceptions of biodiversity, four novel non-expert-dependent assessment tools-along with estimates of vegetation cover and bird species richness-were used to examine the attributes of 134 Australian urban parks. Ordinal regression modelling was used to explore the ability of these tools to predict perceptions of biodiversity and naturalness collected via a public questionnaire that yielded 1894 individual green space perception responses from 840 individuals. Despite researchers theorising otherwise, changes in structural variation were too subtle to significantly influence perceptions. Vegetation cover, habitat diversity, and a proposed Urban Park Naturalness Index (UPNI) were the strongest predictors of perceived biodiversity, explaining 31% of respondent perceptions. Bird species richness significantly influenced perceptions of naturalness but not biodiversity. Despite a relatively weak correlation between perceptions and objective measures (Nagelkerke R-squared = 0.307), we demonstrate how subtle changes in assessed attributes significantly affect predicted perceptions of the environment. For example, every additional habitat type within a park increases the odds of it being in a higher perceived biodiversity category by 31.7%. We suggest further development of simple assessment tools, such as the UPNI, that provide valuable insights into human responses to nature, and can aid the sustainable design and management of urban green space.

World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2016

This paper focuses on one particular risk threatening residents of peri-urban fringes across the ... more This paper focuses on one particular risk threatening residents of peri-urban fringes across the world’s Mediterranean biome, namely the risk of wildfires, termed bushfires in Australia. Communities across the Mediterranean biome (in south-east Australia, California, the Mediterranean basin and Chile) can experience destructive wildfires causing property damage and, in some cases, loss of life, but especially in peri-urban fringes. In such locales housing is often located close to areas of forest in both natural and semi-natural environments. In recent years impacts have been especially severe in Portugal, the south of France, Victoria (Australia) and California. For example, over the last thirty years, 353 people have died due to wildfires in southern Australia and all southern Australian states have experienced serious fires this century, most destructively in Victoria in 2009 and 2003. Yet, while the peri-urban fringes of many towns and cities across the Mediterranean biome are extremely vulnerable to wildfires, they are simultaneously highly attractive places to live and work. Hence, the fringes can represent a growing and profound ‘risk environment’ in which wildfires constitute a ‘manufactured risk’ in that they are related to a high level of human agency both in the production and mitigation of the risk.Guy M. Robinson, Douglas K. Bardsley, Delene Weber and Emily Moskw

Sustainability, Feb 3, 2019

There are few studies examining the wellbeing benefits from exposure to natural environments diff... more There are few studies examining the wellbeing benefits from exposure to natural environments differing in ecological attributes, such as biodiversity, and they have not had consistent results. This study progresses our understanding of the nuanced relationship between nature and wellbeing by analyzing the self-reported benefits derived from urban green spaces varying in a range of objectively measured biodiversity attributes such as bird species richness, habitat diversity, and structural heterogeneity. Respondents' (n = 840) perceptions of biodiversity and naturalness were also examined. We identified the biodiversity attributes most strongly associated with particular benefits, as well as the types of parks where those benefits were significantly more likely to occur. Findings suggest that perceived, rather than objective measures of biodiversity are better predictors of subjective wellbeing benefits. Of the assessed biodiversity attributes, vegetation cover consistently correlated most strongly with psychological benefits. Stress reduction and mood improvement were greatest in nature parks and lowest in pocket parks. Increases in each biodiversity attribute significantly affected psychological wellbeing at different thresholds, suggesting the relationship between biodiversity and wellbeing is not linear. Thresholds of sensitivity for park attributes are discussed, with vegetation cover, naturalness, structural heterogeneity, and park type emerging as the most useful differentiators for studying human responses to nature. Our findings can help inform green space planning to maximize environmental benefits and health benefits concurrently.

Climate change provides a wonderful example of the need for transdisciplinary research. However, ... more Climate change provides a wonderful example of the need for transdisciplinary research. However, the difficulties of bringing various partners together to contribute to climate change research in a strategic manner has thwarted many well-intended researchers. Whilst the use of geographical information system (GIS) technology in mapping biodiversity, hydrology and even fire risk has been prolific, little attention has been provided to how this technology can also facilitate the collection of social data and provide a platform that allows for integrated and coherent results among disciplines. A study in a selection of parks in the Adelaide metropolitan area revealed strong support for strategies such as improving public transport, increasing use of water sensitive grass, addition of urban forests, and the establishment of community gardens. Low levels of support were associated with strategies such as allowing natural water features to dry up, increasing the amount of paved areas and seasonal closure of some parks. A prototype internet based PPGIS system with a Google map interface has been developed to enable participants to map the areas of the parks they use, how they use them and indicate whether or not they would still use them this way, if the temperature increased. They can also map those areas they feel would be most appropriate for a variety of climate mitigation strategies. The project is the first step in a larger project that will provide valuable insights into how we can optimise use of Adelaide's parks, from a variety of perspectives, including climate change, economic, biodiversity and health.

Geographical Research, Apr 13, 2021

The marginalisation of people from natural areas has dominated conservation approaches in post‐co... more The marginalisation of people from natural areas has dominated conservation approaches in post‐colonial societies such as Australia. Yet the approach is limited, in part because people are also excluded from co‐managing their local environments, an effect that raises important questions about the future of conservation in a reflexive era where account must also be taken of how to manage risks such as bushfires. To address the complexity of social processes that influence conservation, new forms of co‐management between governments and community stakeholders are evolving but do not always achieve their participatory aims. In this article, discrepancies between perceptions of conservation governance and the responsibilities and activities of the South Australian Government are examined by reference to original research involving a residential survey and a follow‐up focus group discussion with local community and non‐profit environmental organisations. Findings suggest that local environmental groups are knowledge‐rich and strong relationships exist between local conservation actors and government officers, but those partnerships receive only limited support. In addition, opportunities for co‐management between government and non‐governmental environmental organisations are hindered by insufficient acknowledgement within government of the importance of unique, actionable local knowledge; an inability to effectively coordinate activities across and between government and non‐government actors; and an unwillingness to engage with stakeholders in a manner that develops and maintains trust.

This research report examined and reviewed visitor impact modelling applications in Australia. Th... more This research report examined and reviewed visitor impact modelling applications in Australia. The objectives of the report were to review the effectiveness of various visitor impact modelling approaches and their future direction, to identify the primary modelling approaches used in Australia, and to determine priorities for developing and/or implementing future visitor impact models for protected areas. This report used three methods for assessing protected area models: 1. A review of various models, frameworks, concepts, and processes from the academic and professional literature. 2. The completion of a Delphi process with selected protected area experts from academia in the U.S. and Australia. 3. The completion of an industry reference group process with individuals selected from different state and commonwealth agencies in Australia. The results indicate there are a variety of models and processes available for protected areas management and no single method has gained ascendency among experts. The level of sophistication in protected area model use is low worldwide with Australian adoption lagging behind North America. The adoption and diffusion of protected area management tools in Australia are likely to be slow due to limited staff and financial resources. We suggest that rather than fund additional research on new protected area models, resources should go toward: Building a more extensive case history of protected area modelling applications in Australia. Developing a national training program with reference materials. Standardising protected area models and methods in Australia where possible. Leverage Australia's current world leadership in incorporating Aboriginal perspectives in protected areas management.

Journal of Leisure Research, Nov 1, 2014

Park agencies must plan to accommodate a diversity of visitors in order to satisfy visitor expect... more Park agencies must plan to accommodate a diversity of visitors in order to satisfy visitor expectations and encourage future visitation. This study applies a market segmentation approach to develop a visitor typology that is effective across a broad spectrum of parks and applicable to a range of priorities, both strategic and operational, within park management agencies. Over a four-year period, data was sourced from over 11,000 interviews conducted at 33 diverse Australian national and metropolitan parks managed by the agency Parks Victoria. Factor analysis and cluster analysis was used to identify seven distinct visitor segments on the basis of numerous variables including, crucially, benefits sought. The applied and theoretical contributions of this study to the parks literature are discussed.

International journal of disaster risk reduction, Oct 1, 2022

Applied Geography, Sep 1, 2015

ABSTRACT Major fires on the periphery of Australian cities are reframing perceptions of what cons... more ABSTRACT Major fires on the periphery of Australian cities are reframing perceptions of what constitutes effective landscape planning and vegetation management. The emerging governance challenge to simultaneously mitigate wildfire risk and support improved conservation practices is reviewed in the context of pre-colonial and modern cultures within the peri-urban Mediterranean climatic region of South Australia's Mt Lofty Ranges. The analysis suggests that anthropogenic burning of landscape has been a vital historical component of risk management. During the early modern era however, improved capacities to manage wildfire risk led to complacency in light of the hazard, which in turn has led to urbanization that has not sufficiently accounted for the levels of risk. A planning conflict is emerging within the wooded uplands as there is renewed interest in wildfire risk, which is reflected in new state policies providing greater allowances for land owners to clear vegetation around dwellings. Although attempts have been made to constrain urban growth around the city of Adelaide, recent workshops with key environmental management stakeholders suggest that urbanization continues within the Mt Lofty Ranges in areas that are both highly vulnerable to fire and of great importance for biodiversity conservation, such that planning is not reflecting the cultures of risk or biodiversity value. For such risks and values to be taken into account within reflexive systems of governance, the narratives on opportunities for adaptation generated by the people who facilitate vegetation management must be accommodated into deliberations on policy. The identification and planning of particularly vulnerable and valuable spaces within the broader landscape and cultural contexts of risk and value would enable complex, targeted responses to environmental hazards, conservation and development needs in the peri-urban uplands.

Landscape and Urban Planning, 2014

h i g h l i g h t s • Uses participatory GIS methods to measure physical activities and benefits ... more h i g h l i g h t s • Uses participatory GIS methods to measure physical activities and benefits of urban parks. • Examines relationship between park activities and benefits with park type, size, and location. • Park type and size are significantly related to the type and amount of physical activities and community benefits received from urban parks. • Participatory GIS research methods have limitations but appear useful for examining spatial relationships to inform urban parks planning.

Environmental Science & Policy, Nov 1, 2018

Communities living on the periphery of Australian urban areas face major issues relating to incre... more Communities living on the periphery of Australian urban areas face major issues relating to increasing bushfire risk. At the same time and in the same areas, declining biodiversity levels are undermining sustainable development goals. Mitigating bushfire risk while simultaneously improving conservation outcomes in peri-urban areas under development pressures poses a significant governance challenge. Opportunities for narratives from experts and practitioners to inform reflexive policy responses to that challenge are explored in two Mediterranean-climatic regions in South Australia. Workshops and interviews were undertaken with vegetation specialists and bushfire managers to facilitate deliberation on planning opportunities for the peri-urban areas around Adelaide and Port Lincoln. The stories of local bushfires and biodiversity from people with a diverse range of expertise in bushfire, land and vegetation management inform narratives on risk and value, which in turn enable deep and contextual understanding of the complex management challenges. Important mutual learning was developed by applying social learning techniques that associated expert experiences with scientific information to generate comprehensive, contemporary perspectives on risk and value to guide environmental policy.

Environmental Management, Aug 26, 2021

There are no conflicts of interest and the primary data are stored at the University of Adelaide.... more There are no conflicts of interest and the primary data are stored at the University of Adelaide. Ethics approval was provided by The University of Adelaide (H-2014-258). Highlights  The nature of wildfire risk is changing in southern Switzerland  Local environmental risks are not rated highly by household respondents  Residents state that they have a very high understanding of the planning system • Many respondents do not feel that they can influence planning outcomes  Deliberative planning systems will need to evolve to accommodate future risk

International journal of disaster risk reduction, Mar 1, 2018

As peri-urban housing development extends into areas of high risk and conservation value, policy ... more As peri-urban housing development extends into areas of high risk and conservation value, policy makers and landholders are challenged with two seemingly opposing objectives: the need to mitigate for bushfire risk and the desire to preserve and enhance local biodiversity. To explore this conflict, a mixed methods approach comprising a postal survey, interviews and focus group discussions with local residents was undertaken in two communities in South Australia, namely the Mount Lofty Ranges and Lower Eyre Peninsula. Our results suggest residents have a strong appreciation of the need for prescribed fire and a reflection of biodiversity values when deliberating on conservation and bushfire risk mitigation. In fact, nearly 90% of residents suggest that biodiversity conservation is important to consider in bushfire prevention policy. Indepth discussions elaborate on residents' detailed understandings of their local ecological situations, which suggests they are open to a more sophisticated ecological debate on this topic than decision-makers may realise. Residents were generally supportive of current vegetation management but raised particular detailed concerns with current practice in their localities. Periurban residents are well placed to appreciate a more sophisticated policy approach that considers all stakeholders and varying priorities, and would welcome communication that informs and engages while presenting the management alternatives within local contexts.