Document Type : Original Article
Subjects
One of the critical factors affecting the success of rangeland and watershed management projects is fostering motivation among local stakeholders to engage actively. Numerous studies in developed countries have emphasized that their success in similar projects stems from systematic, targeted education and training in all relevant aspects of a project. This study seeks to examine the degree of participation among residents in a desertification control project and to prioritize their perspectives for use in local and regional decision-making processes. Specifically, the study aims to evaluate residents' approval of and willingness to engage in the carbon sequestration initiative, intending to enhance the empowerment of local communities. Additionally, by gathering and analyzing residents' perspectives, this research strives to identify and rank motivational policies according to their perceived importance, facilitating their use in local and potentially broader regional decision-making frameworks.
This research adopts a descriptive-correlational approach and was conducted within the traditional community boundaries of the Qahavand district in Hamedan County. The sample was selected using a simple random sampling method, and the sample size, calculated through Cochran's formula, included 53 stakeholders actively engaged in land management. Data was collected through a structured questionnaire, administered through direct interviews with each stakeholder to ensure clarity and accuracy in responses. To validate the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated using SPSS software, resulting in a satisfactory score of 0.8, reflecting the consistency and reliability of the questions posed. Once the questionnaires were validated and completed, the responses were systematically entered into SPSS for further statistical analysis. Key statistical indices were calculated to interpret trends and associations. Before conducting correlation analyses, the data underwent normality testing in SPSS to ensure appropriate statistical methods were applied. Subsequently, several correlation tests were employed to analyze relationships among variables: Pearson's parametric test (suitable for normally distributed, linear data), the Kruskal-Wallis test (a non-parametric approach for comparing mean differences in qualitative or non-normal data), Spearman's rank correlation (a non-parametric test for ordinal data), and Friedman's test, which was used to rank factors influencing participation levels. Each method was chosen to accurately reflect correlations among social, economic, and environmental variables impacting stakeholder engagement.
This research aimed to investigate the level of engagement among residents in the desertification control project, and the results provide a comprehensive analysis of this engagement. The findings highlight a significant correlation between the level of awareness of desertification and carbon sequestration activities and the willingness of stakeholders to participate in these activities. Specifically, higher levels of awareness among stakeholders were associated with a greater inclination to participate in desertification and carbon sequestration efforts. This suggests that as stakeholders become more informed about the objectives and benefits of these initiatives, they increasingly recognize the importance of their role and become more motivated to contribute. In practical terms, increased knowledge and understanding of desertification control and carbon sequestration translate into a higher appreciation of the value of participation, not only for personal benefit but also for community and environmental sustainability. The stakeholders realize active engagement's crucial role in preserving, restoring, and enhancing rangeland ecosystems, which can provide long-term benefits for themselves, their families, and future generations.
Further analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis and Pearson tests identified several key socio-economic variables that significantly influence stakeholder participation in sustainable rangeland management. Among these, the number of household dependents, income level, educational attainment, and ownership of livestock (particularly with more than 150 heads of livestock) were positively associated with higher levels of participation. These findings indicate that as the number of dependents, level of education, livestock count, and income increase, so does the willingness to engage in sustainable management practices. Thus, it appears that socio-economic factors directly impact both the capacity and the willingness of stakeholders to invest in sustainable practices, as well as their appreciation of the long-term benefits of resource conservation.
In light of the study's findings, it is evident that community involvement in the restoration, management, and implementation of natural resource projects is fundamental to the success of management programs. Sustainable development in natural resource management relies not only on expert interventions from governmental and non-governmental agencies but also on the active engagement and support of the local stakeholders who interact with these resources daily. Thus, fostering a collaborative environment between stakeholders and implementing agencies will ensure the successful execution of rangeland improvement initiatives, particularly within the broader sustainable development framework. This study recommends that authorities consider stakeholders' perspectives when formulating strategies, emphasizing that policies should reflect local communities' needs, priorities, and preferences. Engaging residents in decision-making will facilitate the development of policies that are technically viable, socially accepted, and supported. The Carbon Sequestration Project has been designed in line with one of Iran's key development priorities desertification control and aims to develop a participatory rangeland management model in arid and semi-arid regions, with the goals of poverty alleviation and enhancement of carbon uptake. As a high-priority program, it simultaneously addresses global environmental protection concerns and national development objectives.
This research was conducted as part of an MSc thesis funded by Malayer University. The authors express their gratitude to Malayer University for its financial support and to all contributors who assisted with data collection.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
