Core values underpin the attributes of forests that matter to people

Managers of public forests are required to balance multiple values of forests. Developing policies to represent these can be impeded by uncertainty regarding how to understand and describe values relevant to forests. This paper addresses one source of ambiguity by examining forest values at two levels of abstraction: core values of people (principles that guide in life), and valued attributes of forests (qualities of forests important to people). We used in-depth interviews with 36 members of the public in Victoria, Australia to describe the values relevant to forests at both levels. We then examined relationships between values based on a survey of members of the Victorian public (n = 915). Our study revealed valued attributes encompassing natural, production, cultural and experiential categories. We demonstrated a broader range of core values relevant to forest management than previously recognized: security (safety and stability of society) and hedonism (pleasure and sensory gratification) were expressed in addition to biospheric, altruistic and egoistic values. Associations between core values and valued attributes revealed biospheric values underpin variation in the importance given to production and natural attributes of forests. The core value of security also underpinned multiple valued attributes. By revealing a comprehensive yet succinct range of values associated with forests, this research supports development of forest policy congruent with expectations of society.