Applying protection motivation theory to assess collaboration, urban tree risks and storm management in the U.S.

Abstract

Urban trees are vital components of urban societies and ecosystems, but their management is often contested by diverse and sometimes conflicting goals. As storm frequency and intensity increases, it is important to understand the factors that impact municipal level proactive and reactive storm responses to urban trees including pruning, removal, and emergency procedures. Therefore, we surveyed 920 urban forestry professionals in the Northeastern and Southeastern United States to assess their perceived storm threats, socio-demographic characteristics and whether their affiliated organizations had storm preparedness plans. We used Protection Motivation Theory (PMT) as an analytical lens to assess collaboration as a possible protective response to urban trees and storm events. Specifically, we incorporated PMT variables: threat severity, vulnerability, response efficacy, and self-efficacy perceptions. We also expanded PMT to understand perspectives from a professional audience by including professional experience, knowledge, and perceptions of collective and personal efficacy. Our results suggest that collaboration between urban forestry professionals is often used to enhance storm responses and urban forest management as 56% of respondents used collaboration for tree risk assessment, regular tree maintenance (50%), emergency storm responses (48%), data collection and inventory (43%) and strategic planning (40%). Using a structural equation model, we found that threat appraisal, perceived efficacy beliefs, and the amount of perceived and actual money spent on management were statistically significant predictors of respondents’ likelihood to require collaboration as a necessary part of protective action. Our results provide insights into how urban trees are managed in the context of storms, including considerations for collaboration, collective governance, and strategic responses.

Citation

Cadaval, Stephanie; Clarke, Mysha; Roman, Lara A.; Conway, Tenley M.; Koeser, Andrew K.; Eisenman, Theodore S.; Colee, James. 2026. Applying protection motivation theory to assess collaboration, urban tree risks and storm management in the U.S. Journal of Environmental Management. 413: 130313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2026.130313.