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Water-Related ecosystem services and water quality: Farmers’ perceptions and practices

dc.contributor.authorBaskaran, Aiswarya
dc.contributor.copyright-releaseNot Applicableen_US
dc.contributor.degreeMaster of Environmental Studiesen_US
dc.contributor.departmentSchool for Resource & Environmental Studiesen_US
dc.contributor.ethics-approvalReceiveden_US
dc.contributor.external-examinerDr. Peter Duinkeren_US
dc.contributor.graduate-coordinatorDr. Karen Beazleyen_US
dc.contributor.manuscriptsNot Applicableen_US
dc.contributor.thesis-readerDr. John Brazneren_US
dc.contributor.thesis-readerDr. Marney Isaacen_US
dc.contributor.thesis-supervisorDr. Kate Sherrenen_US
dc.date.accessioned2015-04-29T18:50:26Z
dc.date.available2015-04-29T18:50:26Z
dc.date.defence2014-12-17
dc.date.issued2015-04-29
dc.description.abstractFreshwater ecosystems provide numerous ecosystem services (ES) to humans. Agricultural pollution negatively impacts waterbodies and their capacity to provide ES. To reduce agricultural pollution it is crucial to understand farmers’ perceptions and the different factors that influence farmers’ decision-making. This thesis sought to understand farmers’ perceptions of water-related ES, climate change, and water quality, and to examine the role of these perceptions in influencing farmer decision-making related to farm water management. Map elicitation interviews were conducted with farmers in Musquodoboit Valley, Nova Scotia. Results suggest that farmers easily identified provisioning and cultural services, while regulating and supporting services were under-recognized. Farmers used management practices to maintain the ES they identified and to reduce disservices. Farmers had high climatic awareness, and some farmers understood the contribution of agriculture to water pollution. Farmers’ decision-making was influenced by their perception of ecosystem services and water quality. These results will inform agri-environmental programs.en_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10222/56745
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.subjectEcosystem servicesen_US
dc.subjectMap-based elicitationen_US
dc.subjectFarmer decision makingen_US
dc.subjectFarmer perceptionsen_US
dc.subjectWater managementen_US
dc.titleWater-Related ecosystem services and water quality: Farmers’ perceptions and practicesen_US

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