Abstract
The influence of traditional residential landscapes on humans and the environment has provoked a discussion on maintaining landscapes in a sustainable way and conserving water resources. Traditional American landscapes require water-intensive management. Previous research has discussed potential negative impacts on the environment from prevalent improper landscaping maintenance techniques. To mitigate long-term consequences, sustainable landscape management programs aim at protecting the environment from harmful inputs and conserving water. Among alternative practices, converting fully turfgrass lawns to sustainable landscapes is recommended. The Florida Friendly Landscaping (FFLTM) initiative is one such program designed to minimize negative impacts while maintaining and improving landscapes’ aesthetic characteristics. Although technological advancements in lawn care services have rapidly developed in the past few decades (e.g., smart irrigation systems), the level of homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions regarding sustainable practices are still at the forefront of potential factors that influence the widespread adoption of sustainable lawn management. Relatively few studies have investigated how homeowners’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes affect adoption decisions. This study adapted Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior as a framework to examine how individuals’ knowledge and perceptions of sustainable landscapes influence their adoption intention, and to predict their pro-environmental behavior. We found that homeowners’ knowledge about lawns and landscapes (more knowledgeable) is positively correlated with their sustainable landscape adoption intention. Additionally, homeowners’ perceptions of landscape conservation practices (more agreeable with sustainable landscape practices) are positively correlated with sustainable landscape adoption intentions. The implications for policymakers and water conservation programs are discussed.
Highlights
IntroductionOver the past two decades, urban areas in the US have increased considerably
The coefficients represent the correlation of those variables with the likelihood of sustainable landscapes adoption intentions
The rest of the columns represent the marginal effects of the explanatory variables
Summary
Over the past two decades, urban areas in the US have increased considerably The area devoted to maintained residential landscapes has increased substantially [2]. Traditional residential landscapes are dominated by turfgrass covered with relatively small, infrequently irrigated spaces composed of trees, shrubs, and other plants. Poor landscape management, such as over-irrigation, fertilizer run-off, water pollution, eutrophication, or algae blooms, etc. (see [3,4]), often causes adverse environmental consequences [5] Poor landscape management, such as over-irrigation, fertilizer run-off, water pollution, eutrophication, or algae blooms, etc. (see [3,4]), often causes adverse environmental consequences [5]
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