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Phosphorus Management in the Agroecosystem: An analysis of knowledge and perceived risk

Ferry, Joshua David
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1300980591

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
Increasing evidence of phosphorus (P) contamination of surface water has precipitated numerous research efforts, both in government agencies and at academic institutions. These efforts have been overwhelmingly committed to characterizing this problem from a biophysical perspective, through fields such as limnology, aquatic ecology, soil science and agronomy—and have yielded great results. In many watersheds, particularly in the Eastern Cornbelt, phosphorus loading comes largely from row-crop agriculture. As a non-point source, phosphorus transport from individual agricultural operations cannot be directly monitored or regulated. Consequently, it behooves those interested in improving water quality to couple biophysical research with research devoted to understanding what social variables are animating the land management decisions ultimately responsible for contamination. Given this need, the objectives of this research were twofold. The first objective of this research was to characterize the current phosphorus risk assessment information available to farmers, in light of the emerging problem of soluble P. The second objective was to assess farmers' understanding of phosphorus management, which includes transport, fate and the risks associated with nutrient loss. Twenty-three farmers participated in in-depth interviews where they were asked questions pertaining to phosphorus management. Results were then coded and mapped onto the expert influence diagram illustrating key knowledge strengths and weaknesses. Individual farmers were assigned a knowledge score based on concept recognition. Knowledge scores were then correlated to self-reported risk perception measures. The results indicate that farmers are thoroughly versed in the transport of P via direct soil loss, but have a much lower understanding of the transport of soluble P via surface runoff. Overall, risk perception is positively correlated to knowledge with risk perception levels relatively high. The risk perception results suggest that farmers are well positioned to receive and process a risk communication effort designed to address knowledge deficiencies specific to soluble P mitigation behavior.
Dr. Robyn Wilson, PhD (Advisor)
Dr. Elena Irwin, PhD (Committee Member)
Dr. Robert Mullen, PhD (Committee Member)
127 p.
Communication; Environmental Science; Natural Resource Management
DRP; phosphorus management; risk communication; risk perception; mental models

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Ferry, J. D. (2011). Phosphorus Management in the Agroecosystem: An analysis of knowledge and perceived risk [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1300980591

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Ferry, Joshua. Phosphorus Management in the Agroecosystem: An analysis of knowledge and perceived risk. 2011. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1300980591.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Ferry, Joshua. "Phosphorus Management in the Agroecosystem: An analysis of knowledge and perceived risk." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1300980591

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1300980591
770
© 2011, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.