Knowledge, attitude and participation intention to use and management of wetlands: evidence from the central rift valley of Ethiopia

Fitsum Dechasa (), Feyera Senbeta and Dawit Diriba
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Fitsum Dechasa: Bahir Dar University
Feyera Senbeta: Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources
Dawit Diriba: The University of British Colombia

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 1, No 64, 1855-1875

Abstract: Abstract Sustainability of wetlands entails resource users’ knowledge, positive Attitude and strong Intention (KAI) to wetlands and their management. This study examines households’ KAI to use and management of wetlands in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia drawing on data collected from 405 households, participatory rural appraisals and experts’ interview. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test and ANOVA were used for data analysis. The result revealed that the overall KAI of households is good; however, the proportions of households with low level of knowledge, unfavorable attitude and low intention are fairly large to hamper sustainable use and management of wetlands. Findings of the study further revealed variation in households’ levels of KAI. The difference in knowledge is explained by age, distance from wetlands, training received and contact with extension agents. Knowledge, training received, extension contact and benefit gain account for the variation in attitude and participation intention to management of wetlands. One key finding is that majority (68.2%) of the households preferred to use the wetlands either for farming or grazing purposes. Hence, there is a need to design a mix of approaches to build up and maximize communities’ KAI about wetlands and their sustainable use and management.

Keywords: Wetland; Knowledge; Attitude; Intention; Ecosystem services; Ethiopia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-03946-y

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