Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2020
Abstract
Landscape photovisualizations (PVZs) are digitally altered photographs that show existing landscapes altered to include a simulated future scenario. They are commonly used to support dialogue and decision-making in multistakeholder contexts. In agricultural sectors, stakeholders increasingly must contend with pressures to adapt to climatic changes and shifts in weather patterns. This study examines the potential of PVZs to engage agricultural stakeholders about climate change adaptation, specifically around best management practices (BMPs). In 2015, survey data were collected (n 5 133) at six agricultural confer-ences Vermont. Participants were asked about their climate change knowledge, perceptions of adaptation, and their intentions to adopt or recommend one or more of the following BMPs: riparian buffers, drainage tiles with constructed wetlands, retention ponds, and silvopasture. In addition, respondents were asked about how well PVZs did or did not clarify their understanding of each BMP and its associated limiting factors. Results from five multivariate ordered logit models show an increase in interest among some ag-ricultural stakeholders in adopting a BMP (among farmers) or recommending a BMP (among agricultural advisors) after seeing a PVZ depicting that practice. Interest in adoption or recommendation of BMPs was also more likely among respondents who believe that it is important for farms to adapt to climate change. Although PVZs are not common in agricultural outreach programs, these results suggest that PVZs are relevant to agricultural education and land-use decision-making, specifically in the domain of climate change adaptation.
Rights Information
© 2019 American Meteorological Society.
Recommended Citation
Schattman RE, Hurley SE, Greenleaf HL, Niles MT, Caswell M. Visualizing Climate Change Adaptation: An Effective Tool for Agricultural Outreach?. Weather, Climate, and Society. 2020 Jan;12(1):47-61.
DOI
10.1175/WCAS-D-19-0049.1
Link to Article at Publisher Website
Included in
Agriculture Commons, Climate Commons, Sustainability Commons