Nature conservation is perceived as positive by most people, and yet, the implementation of nature conservation goals sometimes leads to conflicts. Too often, the players involved interfere with each other, often have different economically or socially oriented goals, which can create resistance among those involved and affected. For example, the concerns of a nature conservation project may be to preserve natural habitats and increase biodiversity. On the other hand, there may be user interests in creating living space on the land (a social goal), intensive agricultural use and/or making other resources available (an economic goal).
Resistance and acceptance can occur in different intensities, and willingness to act can change dynamically based on the perceptions of individuals and groups. Perceptions of any situation are as individual as the people perceiving it, and can be very selective: they are largely determined by cultural and emotional factors, e.g., traditional values and emotional obligations, image, group membership, role models, etc.