Characterising people–species–place relationships
- 1School of Geography, Planning, and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Churchill Avenue, Sandy Bay, Hobart, TAS 7005 Australia
- 2Centre for Marine Socioecology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- 3College of Arts, Society and Education, James Cook University, 1 James Cook Dr, Douglas, Townsville, QLD 4814 Australia
Abstract
Place attachments are multifaceted, reflecting personal meaning, and lived experiences. People also develop strong connections with species that inhabit beloved places. Yet, where places and species are experienced together, little is known about how these attachments intersect or vary across species. Here, we explored attachments to place and species, focusing on fairy penguins (Eudyptula minor) and muttonbirds (Ardenna tenuirostris) in their coastal habitat at an iconic Tasmanian landmark (Bruny Island). Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined these relationships through a modified Inclusion of Self Scale (n = 93) and interviews (n = 28). Species–place relationships, defined as the perceived belonging of a species to a place, emerged as the strongest predictor of place attachment. Qualitative insights revealed species–specific pathways, with connections strengthened when species contributed in both ecological and cultural ways. Recognising these diverse pathways offers a more nuanced understanding of how people–place relationships are formed and sustained.
Graphical abstract:
Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0.
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BibTeX
@article{shum2026characterising,
title = {{Characterising people–species–place relationships}},
author = {Edith Shum and Vanessa M. Adams and Georgina G. Gurney},
journal = {Ambio},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Characterising people–species–place relationships
AU - Edith Shum
AU - Vanessa M. Adams
AU - Georgina G. Gurney
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/23
JO - Ambio
DO - 10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0
AB - Place attachments are multifaceted, reflecting personal meaning, and lived experiences. People also develop strong connections with species that inhabit beloved places. Yet, where places and species are experienced together, little is known about how these attachments intersect or vary across species. Here, we explored attachments to place and species, focusing on fairy penguins (Eudyptula minor) and muttonbirds (Ardenna tenuirostris) in their coastal habitat at an iconic Tasmanian landmark (Bruny Island). Using a mixed-methods approach, we examined these relationships through a modified Inclusion of Self Scale (n = 93) and interviews (n = 28). Species–place relationships, defined as the perceived belonging of a species to a place, emerged as the strongest predictor of place attachment. Qualitative insights revealed species–specific pathways, with connections strengthened when species contributed in both ecological and cultural ways. Recognising these diverse pathways offers a more nuanced understanding of how people–place relationships are formed and sustained. Graphical abstract: Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-026-02411-0.
SN - 0044-7447
SN - 1654-7209
ER -