Understanding Stakeholder Perspectives on Ecosystem Management Policies in China’s National Parks Through Q Methodology

Using the Qianjiangyuan National Park pilot as a case study, we combined the theory of Planned Behavior, Value–Belief–Norm theory, and the Nature’s Contributions to People framework to develop multidimensional statements, and applied Q methodology to identify shared subjective perspectives among stakeholders of the Qianjiangyuan National Park pilot.

Four distinct perspectives were identified: Ecocentrism, Community Collaboration, Livelihood Security, and Community Development Benefits. All four shared a rejection of destructive resource use and support for community-based ecotourism. Their formation reflects how structural positions and livelihood conditions shape the subjective construction of conservation costs.