scholarly journals Farmers’ Contributions to Achieving Water Sustainability: A Meta-Analytic Path Analysis of Predicting Water Conservation Behavior

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 279
Author(s):  
Bijan Abadi ◽  
Girma Kelboro

This article intends to summarize the findings of studies on the relationship between farmers’ behavioral intentions (BI) and water-conservation behavior (WCB) using the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A systematic review of transcripts obtained from Internet-based searching on reliable scientific databases (e.g., SID, ProQuest, Springer, Science Direct, John Wiley, Sage, Taylor & Francis, Emerald Insight, and Google Scholar) was followed by outfitting data for the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software. Data from a total of 28 studies on WCB were synthesized and analyzed through the CMA procedure. The resulting evidence demonstrates that the total and summarized estimate point (i.e., correlation) for the associations of attitude (ATT), subjective norms (SNs), and perceived behavioral control (PBC) with BI was 0.46, 0.36, and 0.26, respectively (r(t)PBC < r(t) SNs < r(t)ATT → BI). Furthermore, the effect size of the relationship between PBC and WCB was 0.27. The largest effect size pertained to the relationship between BI and WCB (BI → WCB) (r(t)BI = 0.52). The take-home message of the article is that hypothetical statements of the TPB are confirmed, as would be hypothesized. These findings should still be regarded in the field of WCB research; thus, policymakers need to provide solutions and adapt their policy initiatives for water resource management based on these findings. For example, one of the solutions to improve water resource management based on the research results is to examine the views and realities constructed by farmers of water resources and related management styles before carrying out water resource management projects. Identifying the potential capabilities of farmers and their economic and social background to expand water-conservation behavior and the tendency and acceptance of water resource management project to be implemented is also an important requirement in making resource management projects effective. The use of various methods of the individual, group, and collective communication to interact with farmers combined with provision of extension training, as well as mobilizing and organizing farmers to facilitate effective management of water resources are recommended.

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-15
Author(s):  
Attia El Gayar ◽  

Integrated water management means putting all the pieces together. Social, environmental, and technical aspects must be taken into consideration. Issues of concern include: providing forums; Reshaping planning processes; Coordination of land and water resources management; Identify the links between water sources and water quality; Develop protocols for integrated watershed management; Addressing institutional challenges; Protecting and restoring natural systems; Reformulation of existing projects; Knowing the views of society; Clarify education and communication risks; Technology standardization and policy; Form partnerships and emphasize preventive measures. The highest priority for water resource management is to increase the demand for water with limited water resources. Water resources are the foundation for sustainable development, so a sustainable approach must be based on the use and management of water resources. In the twenty-first century, the world faces a major water crisis. The problems stem from errors in the management of water resources. Consequently, the sustainable use of water resources is crucial for humanity. Sustainable development is defined as the goals of supply and today's needs without jeopardizing the goals and requirements of future generations. Long-term goals should be considered instead of short-term goals in assessing water resources. This approach forms the idea of integrated water resource management for horticultural crops. This paper describes the evolution of water use in relation to productivity, how irrigation systems have developed and managed, and a strategy to explore challenges and opportunities for water conservation in horticulture crops.


Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1259
Author(s):  
Rei Itsukushima

Increasing water demand due to population growth, economic development, and changes in rainfall patterns due to climate change are likely to alter the duration and magnitude of droughts. Understanding the relationship between low-flow conditions and controlling factors relative to the magnitude of a drought is important for establishing sustainable water resource management based on changes in future drought risk. This study demonstrates the relationship between low-flow and controlling factors under different severities of drought. I calculated the drought runoff coefficient for six types of occurrence probability, using past observation data of annual total discharge and precipitation in the Japanese archipelago, where multiple climate zones exist. Furthermore, I investigated the pattern of change in the drought runoff coefficient in accordance with the probability of occurrence of drought, and relationships among the coefficient and geological, land use, and topographical factors. The drought runoff coefficient for multiple drought magnitudes exhibited three behaviors, corresponding to the pattern of precipitation. Results from a generalized linear model (GLM) revealed that the controlling factors differed depending on the magnitude of the drought. During high-frequency droughts, the drought runoff coefficient was influenced by geological and vegetation factors, whereas land use and topographical factors influenced the drought runoff coefficient during low-frequency droughts. These differences were caused by differences in runoff, which dominated stream discharge, depending on the magnitude of the drought. Therefore, for effective water resource management, estimation of the volume of drought runoff needs to consider the pattern of precipitation, geology, land use, and topography.


2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 611-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margaret T. Person ◽  
Maryann G. Delea ◽  
Joshua V. Garn ◽  
Kelly Alexander ◽  
Bekele Abaire ◽  
...  

Abstract Despite considerable investment, sustainability of rural water resources remains a critical challenge in Ethiopia. Evidence suggests social capital – the networks, norms, and trust that facilitate cooperative behaviors – influences a community's ability to manage communal water resources. In turn, strong community governance of water resources may lead to sustainable resource management. Existing evidence provides a framework for exploring the relationship between social capital and governance of common-pool resources. However, there is a dearth of quantifiable evidence demonstrating the relationship between social capital, collaborative governance, and, in turn, sustainability of communal water resources. In 32 communities in rural Ethiopia, we employed a validated survey tool, developed by the World Bank, to quantify social capital and explore these relationships. We found associations between governance and several social capital domains: groups and networks, trust and solidarity, and information and communication. All governance indicators were associated with functionality. Identifying domains of social capital that influence governance can inform institutional efforts to target community-based water resource programming, foster social capital to improve water point sustainability, and diagnose issues related to resource management. Additional research examining the influence and directionality of social capital and other social constructs on water resource governance and functionality is warranted.


Author(s):  
V Shinju ◽  
Aswathi Prasad

The natural resources are repository for the survival of all of us, so they must be used efficiently to meet the present needs while conserving them for future generations. An action to develop capacities from global to household levels for their sustainable management and regulation is required henceforth. Of these natural resources, water resources are most precious. If there is no water; there would be no life on earth. Since ‘water is the elixir of life’, water resource management has been considered as one of the most relevant areas of intervention. Understanding the gender dimensions of water resource management is a starting point for reversing the degradation of water resources. Women play an important role here since they have to access the water resources for almost all the activities on a daily basis. As the women are the strong social agents, effective and improved water preservation techniques could be achieved through their empowerment that may eventually lead to the well-being of the households in particular and of the community in general. Therefore, the major research question posed in this study is to analyze the role of women in the preservation and management of water, an inevitable, precious but diminishing natural resource. The study also intends to describe the relationship between the three ‘W's-Women, Water & Well-being. Both qualitative and quantitative approaches are essential here as it is a contingent issue in the present scenario. Psychological dimensions were also explored since the issue is affecting the routine life of the community. The case study of women belonging to the Kuttadampadam region was done to explain the role of women in preserving water resources in the areas affecting severe water scarcity.


Author(s):  
P. Pallavi ◽  
Shaik Salam

Water is an important, but often ignored element in sustainable development by now it has been clear that urgent action is needed to avoid global water crisis. Water resource management is the activity of planning, developing, distributing and managing the optimum use of water resources. Successful management of water resources requires accurate knowledge of their resource distribution to meet up the competing demands and mechanisms to make good decisions using advanced recent technologies.Towards evolving comprehensive management plan in suitable conservation and utilization of water resources space technology plays a crucial role in managing country’s available water resources. Systematic approaches involving judicious combination of conventional server side scripting programming and remote sensing techniques pave way for achieving optimum planning and operational of water resources projects.   new methodologies and 24/7 accessible system need to be built, these by reducing the dependency on complex infrastructure an specialist domain Open source web GIS systems have proven their rich in application of server side scripting and easy to use client application tools. Present study and implementation aims to provide wizard based or easily driven tools online for command area management practices. In this large endeavour modules for handling remote sensing data, online raster processing, statistics and indices generation will be developed.


Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2661
Author(s):  
Yongfen Zhang ◽  
Chongjun Tang ◽  
Aizhong Ye ◽  
Taihui Zheng ◽  
Xiaofei Nie ◽  
...  

Quantitatively figuring out the effects of climate and land-use change on water resources and their components is essential for water resource management. This study investigates the effects of climate and land-use change on blue and green water and their components in the upper Ganjiang River basin from the 1980s to the 2010s by comparing the simulated changes in blue and green water resources by using a Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model forced by five climate and land-use scenarios. The results suggest that the blue water flow (BWF) decreased by 86.03 mm year−1, while green water flow (GWF) and green water storage (GWS) increased by 8.61 mm year−1 and 12.51 mm year−1, respectively. The spatial distribution of blue and green water was impacted by climate, wind direction, topography, and elevation. Climate change was the main factor affecting blue and green water resources in the basin; land-use change had strong effects only locally. Precipitation changes significantly amplified the BWF changes. The proportion of surface runoff in BWF was positively correlated with precipitation changes; lateral flow showed the opposite tendency. Higher temperatures resulted in increased GWF and decreased BWF, both of which were most sensitive to temperature increases up to 1 °C. All agricultural land and forestland conversion scenarios resulted in decreased BWF and increased GWF in the watershed. GWS was less affected by climate and land-use change than GWF and BWF, and the trends in GWS were not significant. The study provides a reference for blue and green water resource management in humid areas.


Water Policy ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 1334-1352 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jyoti S. Jennewein ◽  
Kelly W. Jones

Operationalizing integrated water resource management (IWRM) often involves decentralization of water management via community-based management (CBM). While attention has been given to the components leading to successful CBM, less is known about what factors motivate people's willingness to participate (WTP) in such programs. This study analyzed factors that influence household WTP in CBM in a transboundary watershed located where El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras converge – the Trifinio Region. Several variables were hypothesized to influence WTP: sense of community (SOC), dependence on water resources, level of concern for water resources, and socio-economic characteristics. In 2014, quantitative and qualitative data were collected from 62 households in five communities. Most respondents reported high levels of WTP in future CBM initiatives, and multivariate regression analysis revealed that SOC was the most important predictor of WTP, with wealth and perceptions of watershed management also statistically significant. Qualitative analyses revealed water availability was more concerning than water quality, and perceptions of inequitable access to water is an important constraint to developing CBM strategies. Taken together, these results suggest that enhancing SOC and relationships between local and regional levels of governance prior to establishing community-based projects would facilitate more success in implementing IWRM.


Energies ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 6268
Author(s):  
Aditya Dinesh Gupta ◽  
Prerna Pandey ◽  
Andrés Feijóo ◽  
Zaher Mundher Yaseen ◽  
Neeraj Dhanraj Bokde

According to the United Nation’s World Water Development Report, by 2050 more than 50% of the world’s population will be under high water scarcity. To avoid water stress, water resources are needed to be managed more securely. Smart water technology (SWT) has evolved for proper management and saving of water resources. Smart water system (SWS) uses sensor, information, and communication technology (ICT) to provide real-time monitoring of data such as pressure, water ow, water quality, moisture, etc. with the capability to detect any abnormalities such as non-revenue water (NRW) losses, water contamination in the water distribution system (WDS). It makes water and energy utilization more efficient in the water treatment plant and agriculture. In addition, the standardization of data format i.e., use of Water Mark UP language 2.0 has made data exchange easier for between different water authorities. This review research exhibits the current state-of-the-art of the on-going SWT along with present challenges and future scope on the mentioned technologies. A conclusion is drawn that smart technologies can lead to better water resource management, which can lead to the reduction of water scarcity worldwide. High implementation cost may act as a barrier to the implementation of SWT in developing countries, whereas data security and its reliability along with system ability to give accurate results are some of the key challenges in its field implementation.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iolanda Borzì ◽  
Murugesu Sivapalan ◽  
Brunella Bonaccorso ◽  
Alberto Viglione

&lt;p&gt;In many regions of the world, water supply is threatened by natural hazards such as floods and droughts, as well as by shocks induced by anthropogenic changes to water use. Lack of anticipation and/or preparation for these events can lead to delayed or insufficient responses to sudden or developing water crises, that sometimes can produce irrecoverable damage to the environment. In this work, a socio-hydrological approach to sustainable water resources management of the Alcantara River Basin in Sicily (Italy) is adopted that explicitly takes into account feedbacks between the natural and the human components that might arise from shocks to the water management system, including possible evolution of policy responses. The Alcantara River Basin is a groundwater-fed catchment which supplies many villages on the Ionian coast up to Messina city, mainly through the Alcantara aqueduct, but also agricultural areas and industries, including hydropower plants. It also hosts the Alcantara Fluvial Park, an important natural reserve. The Alcantara aqueduct also supplied the city of Messina during a temporary failure of its main aqueduct caused by a landslide in October 2015. The main purpose of the work is to use the socio-hydrological model as a &amp;#8220;screening tool&amp;#8221; to frame water resource management issues in a broad way and provide guidance to the community to identify aspects of societal behavior that need to evolve towards sustainable water resource management in order to withstand future shocks. This has been done by scenario simulations in conditions of a natural shock affecting the system (i.e. drought) and of a human-induced one (i.e. increase in groundwater extraction). Sensitivity analysis of the model social parameters revealed how the value attributed by the society to the environment and water resources use, its capacity to remember previous water crises and, in particular, its previous responses to shocks, can affect the system in a way that can produce paradoxical effects. Results show how a rapid decision-making strategy that may work in the short term, can be counter-productive when viewed over the long term and how a do-nothing decision during a water crisis could be highly damaging to the environment. For the above-mentioned reasons, this socio-hydrological approach can be considered as a useful tool to understand human-water dynamics and to support decision-makers in water resource management policies with a broad and long-term perspective.&lt;/p&gt;


2014 ◽  
Vol 599-601 ◽  
pp. 1301-1304
Author(s):  
Wen Ming Zhang ◽  
Zheng Shen ◽  
Wen Jun Pan ◽  
Rong Hui Ye

This paper presents a prototype of GIS (Geographic Information System) and web-based decision support system (GWDSS) for regional water resource management and planning, which is a conjunctive application of GIS, Web and DSS technologies. The components involved and implementation of GWDSS are analyzed. The scenario analysis approach and embedded GIS functions are explained. Through the application of GWDSS in the case study region, GWDSS enables managers and decision makers to improve the regional strategic management and planning of water resources,and optimizes the use of water to satisfy the demands of competing stakeholders and protecting water resources.


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