Influence of attitudinal dimensions on children's interest in preserving extensive grasslands

Extensive grasslands (EG) are among the most endangered European habitats and successful preservation of grassland biodiversity is not only dependent on agri-environmental schemes but also on the intention and decision by grassland owners to maintain EG in the interest of biodiversity. With rural children being the future landowners of EG, their attitudes matter. This is one of the first studies on rural children's attitudes toward EG and their management. Models based on variables from the survey were tested with Exploratory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling, thus establishing a Children's Grassland Attitude Scale (CGAS). The results show that the majority of children would maintain grasslands for grassland flora and fauna to preserve species diversity. Humanistic and moralistic attitudes do influence the intention to preserve EG; the more positive emotional attachment children express toward grasslands, the more likely they are to support maintaining EG in the interest of biodiversity and the less likely they are to support converting them into fields. They also express a concern toward biodiversity and therefore support preserving EG in the interest of biodiversity. Children should be encouraged to participate in grassland-based activities to develop positive humanistic and moralistic attitudes that could influence their motivation to preserve EG. •A Children's Grassland Attitude Scale (CGAS) was established.•Children support maintaining extensive grasslands in the interest of biodiversity.•Children expressed emotional attachment to grasslands.•Emotions and moral values influence children's interest to maintain grasslands.•A lack of children's interest in knowing more about grasslands and their management.