Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach

Water quality policy for agricultural lands seeks to improve water quality by changing farmer behavior. We investigate farmer behavior in three water quality regimes that differ by rule structure to examine the fit and interplay of each policy within its social-ecological context, important aspects...

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Autores principales:	Courtney R. Hammond Wagner, Suzie Greenhalgh, Meredith T. Niles, Asim Zia, William B. Bowden
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	Resilience Alliance 2020
Materias:	environmental regulation farmer decision making mental models social-ecological systems water quality Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Ecology QH540-549.5
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/ed65958479b84af599a4cacabf314093
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:ed65958479b84af599a4cacabf3140932021-12-02T18:04:54ZEvaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach1708-308710.5751/ES-12034-250435https://doaj.org/article/ed65958479b84af599a4cacabf3140932020-12-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol25/iss4/art35/https://doaj.org/toc/1708-3087Water quality policy for agricultural lands seeks to improve water quality by changing farmer behavior. We investigate farmer behavior in three water quality regimes that differ by rule structure to examine the fit and interplay of each policy within its social-ecological context, important aspects for improving water quality. Vermont, USA's practice-based policy requires the adoption of specific practices, whereas New Zealand's Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua performance-based policies require farmers to meet a numeric limit for nutrient loss on their farm. Across the three regions we interviewed 38 farmers to elicit mental models of nutrient management changes. We utilized the social-ecological systems (SES) framework to guide mental model elicitation, drawing on farmers' perceptions of the SES to identify salient aspects for behavior. Mental models were grouped by region and analyzed using network analysis. Farmers in all regions self-report high levels of behavior change and cite the policies as key drivers of behavior. This suggests that each policy fits in that it is achieving desired behavior change. However, different behavioral patterns emerged across the regions that we hypothesize have implications for biophysical fit: structural changes dominate in Vermont (e.g., buffers) and system changes in Taupo (e.g., switch from dairy support to beef cattle). The interplay of the policy in each setting, such as with incentive programs in Vermont and a market for nitrogen in Taupo, contributed to the different behavioral patterns. Additionally, access to capital in some form is required for farmers to achieve changes associated with higher biophysical fit. The social fit of the policies also varied, evidenced by dramatic upheaval in Taupo to mostly neutral perceptions of the policy in Vermont. We conclude that regions considering a shift to water quality rules for farms should carefully consider behavioral dynamics in policy design to achieve water quality goals.Courtney R. Hammond WagnerSuzie GreenhalghMeredith T. NilesAsim ZiaWilliam B. BowdenResilience Alliancearticleenvironmental regulationfarmer decision makingmental modelssocial-ecological systemswater qualityBiology (General)QH301-705.5EcologyQH540-549.5ENEcology and Society, Vol 25, Iss 4, p 35 (2020)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	environmental regulation farmer decision making mental models social-ecological systems water quality Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Ecology QH540-549.5
spellingShingle	environmental regulation farmer decision making mental models social-ecological systems water quality Biology (General) QH301-705.5 Ecology QH540-549.5 Courtney R. Hammond Wagner Suzie Greenhalgh Meredith T. Niles Asim Zia William B. Bowden Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
description	Water quality policy for agricultural lands seeks to improve water quality by changing farmer behavior. We investigate farmer behavior in three water quality regimes that differ by rule structure to examine the fit and interplay of each policy within its social-ecological context, important aspects for improving water quality. Vermont, USA's practice-based policy requires the adoption of specific practices, whereas New Zealand's Lake Taupo and Lake Rotorua performance-based policies require farmers to meet a numeric limit for nutrient loss on their farm. Across the three regions we interviewed 38 farmers to elicit mental models of nutrient management changes. We utilized the social-ecological systems (SES) framework to guide mental model elicitation, drawing on farmers' perceptions of the SES to identify salient aspects for behavior. Mental models were grouped by region and analyzed using network analysis. Farmers in all regions self-report high levels of behavior change and cite the policies as key drivers of behavior. This suggests that each policy fits in that it is achieving desired behavior change. However, different behavioral patterns emerged across the regions that we hypothesize have implications for biophysical fit: structural changes dominate in Vermont (e.g., buffers) and system changes in Taupo (e.g., switch from dairy support to beef cattle). The interplay of the policy in each setting, such as with incentive programs in Vermont and a market for nitrogen in Taupo, contributed to the different behavioral patterns. Additionally, access to capital in some form is required for farmers to achieve changes associated with higher biophysical fit. The social fit of the policies also varied, evidenced by dramatic upheaval in Taupo to mostly neutral perceptions of the policy in Vermont. We conclude that regions considering a shift to water quality rules for farms should carefully consider behavioral dynamics in policy design to achieve water quality goals.
format	article
author	Courtney R. Hammond Wagner Suzie Greenhalgh Meredith T. Niles Asim Zia William B. Bowden
author_facet	Courtney R. Hammond Wagner Suzie Greenhalgh Meredith T. Niles Asim Zia William B. Bowden
author_sort	Courtney R. Hammond Wagner
title	Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
title_short	Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
title_full	Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
title_fullStr	Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
title_full_unstemmed	Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
title_sort	evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach
publisher	Resilience Alliance
publishDate	2020
url	https://doaj.org/article/ed65958479b84af599a4cacabf314093
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Evaluating water quality regulation as a driver of farmer behavior: a social-ecological systems approach

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