Abstract
The aim of this research is to investigate behavioral adaptation to climate change among livestock breeders in Iran by using an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach. Considering the different effects of climate change in Varamin city, one of the most important livestock ecosystems in Iran, design of an adaptation pattern to climate change for livestock breeders in this region is necessary. Based on the axial coding paradigm model in qualitative research, adaptation strategies used by livestock breeders were found. The theoretical basis for the structural model in the quantitative investigation was Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior. The awareness variable derived from the results of the qualitative section was added to the model. The results indicate that awareness on attitude is the greatest driver of livestock breeders’ adaptive behavior in the region. Awareness, attitude, social norms, and perceived behavioral control can predict 68% of the changes in the livestock breeders’ climate change–related adaptive behavior. Eventually, the information and results of this study can help authorities, financial supporters, staff, and executive experts understand the situation of livestock breeders, enabling them to develop future plans and to make a more detailed choice about regulation at the macro level. Mixed-methods research, such as that used in this study, can produce a clearer, more societally relevant understanding of how the climate is changing and the human livelihood adaptations to these changes.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Source: based on the qualitative study
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Abbasi-Shavazi MJ, Sadeghi R (2013) Demographic and socio-economic status of youth in I.R. Iran. https://iran.unfpa.org/sites/default/files/pub-pdf/Youth%20in%20I.R.%20Iran_1.pdf. Accessed March 01, 2019.
Abt-Associates (2015) Social and behavior change communication. http://abtassociates.com. Accessed March 01, 2019.
Ajzen I (1991) The theory of planned behavior. Organ Behav Hum Decis Process 50:179–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/0749-5978(91)90020-T
Arbuckle M, Mercer M (2020) Economic outlook and the gender gap in attitudes about climate change. Popul Environ 41:422–451. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-020-00343-9
Asfaw A, Simane B, Bantider A, Hassen A (2019) Determinants in the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies: evidence from rainfed-dependent smallholder farmers in north-central Ethiopia (Wolekasub-basin). Environ Dev Sustain Environ Dev Sustain 21:2535–2565. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-018-0150-y
Azizi H, Ebrahimi H, Samani H, Khaki V (2020) Assessing the intensity of the climate change effect on groundwater resources of Varamin Plain using NISTOR index. Iran-Water Resources Research 16(3):172–187
Azizi H, Ebrahimi H, Samani H, Khaki V (2021) Effect of meteorological drought on groundwater resources of Varamin Plain using SPI, NISTOR and GRI Index. Iranian J Irrigation Drain 6(14):2125–2135
Bett B, Kiunga P, Gachohi J, Sindato C, Mbotha D et al (2017) Effects of climate change on the occurrence and distributions of livestock diseases. Prev Vet Med 1(137):119–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.11.019
Bryan E, Deressa TT, Gbetibouo GA, Ringler C (2009) Adaptation to climate change in Ethiopia and South Africa: options and constraints. Environ Sci Policy 12(4):413–426. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2008.11.002
Carroll JA, Burdicka NC, JrCC C, Coleman SW, Spiers DE (2012) Influence of environmental temperature on the physiological, endocrine, and immune responses in livestock exposed to a provocative immune challenge. Domest Anim Endocrinol 43(2):146–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.domaniend.2011.12.008
Cassandro M (2020) Animal breeding and climate change, mitigation and adaptation. J Anim Breed Genet 137(2):121–122. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.12469
Chan H, Pong V, Tam K (2020) Explaining participation in Earth Hour: the identity perspective and the theory of planned behavior. Clim Change 158:309–325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-019-02554-y
Chapman SC, Chakraborty S, Dreccer MF, Howden SM (2012) Plant adaptation to climate change: opportunities and priorities in breeding. Crop Pasture Sci 63:251–268. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP11303
Climate-data (2016) http://fa.climate-data.org/. Accessed March 01, 2019.
Dang H, Li E, Bruwer J (2012) Understanding climate change adaptive behaviour of farmers: an integrated conceptual framework. Int J Clim Change: Impacts Responses 3(2). https://doi.org/10.18848/1835-7156/CGP/v03i02/37106.
Descheemaeker K, Zijlstra M, Masikati P, Crespo O (2018) Effects of climate change and adaptation on the livestock component of mixed farming systems: a modelling study from semi-arid Zimbabwe. Agric Syst 159:282–295. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2017.05.004
Fang WT, Ng E, Wang CM, Hsu ML (2017) Normative beliefs, attitudes, and social norms: people reduce waste as an index of social relationships when spending leisure time. Sustain 9(10):1696. https://doi.org/10.3390/su9101696
Faraji A, Shamsipour A, Barzaman S (2021) Measurement and sociological assessment of the Varamin City’s resilience against climate change. Phys Geog Res 52(4):605–619. https://doi.org/10.22059/jphgr.2021.281426.1007382
Feng W, Qiu H, Pan J, Tang J (2021) The impact of climate change on livestock production in pastoral areas of China. Sci Total Environ 770:144838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144838
Fleming A, Vanclay F (2010) Farmer responses to climate change and sustainable agriculture. A review. Agron Sustain Dev 30(1). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-0394-0_15.
Furberg M, Hondula DM, Saha MV, Nilsson M (2018) In the light of change: a mixed methods investigation of climate perceptions and the instrumental record in northern Sweden. Popul Environ 40:47–71. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11111-018-0302-x
Hamade K, Malorgio G, Midmore P (2011) Combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to rural development analysis: the case of agricultural intensification in Lebanon. 85th Annual Conference, April 18–20, 2011, Warwick University, Coventry, UK 108960, Agricultural Economics Society.
Hayati D, Karami E, Slee RW (2006) Combining qualitative and quantitative methods in the measurement of rural poverty: the case of Iran. Soc Indic Res 75(3):361–394. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-004-6299-9
He C (2012) Dissertation, University of Videnbasen for Aalborg UniversitetVBN, Aalborg UniversitetAalborg. Assessment of the impact of organic school meals to improve the school food environment and children’s awareness of healthy eating habits.
Henry B, Charmley E, Eckard R, Gaughan JB, Hegarty R (2012) Livestock production in a changing climate: adaptation and mitigation research in Australia. Crop Pasture Sci 63:191–202. https://doi.org/10.1071/CP11169
Holst A, Iversen JM (2011) An application of a revised theory of planned behaviour: predicting the intentions to use personal care products without endocrine disrupting chemicals. Unpublished master’s thesis, Copenhagen Business School, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Hudson A, Milliken W, Timberlake J, Giovannini P, Fijamo V et al (2020) Natural plant resources for sustainable development: insights from community use in the Chimanimani trans-frontier conservation area. Mozambique Hum Ecol 48:55–67. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-020-00132-w
Hyland J, Jones DL, Parkhill KA, Barnes AP (2016) Farmers’ perceptions of climate change: identifying types. Agric Hum Values 33(2):323–339. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10460-015-9608-9
IFAD (International Fund for Agricultural Development) (2010) Livestock and climate change. http://www.ifad.org/lrkm/events/cops/papers/climate.pdf. Accessed March 01, 2019.
Ifeanyi-Obi CC, Etuk UR, Jike-Wai O (2012) Climate change, effects and adaptation strategies: implication for agricultural extension system in Nigeria. Greener J Agric Sci 2(2): 53–60. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312451737.
Jahandideh-Tehrani M, Zhang H, Helfer F, Yu Y (2019) Review of climate change impacts on predicted river stream flow in tropical rivers. Environ Monit Assess 191:752. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7841-1
Jenkins W (2014) Erratum to: Robin Globus Veldman, Andrew Szasz, and Randolph Haluza-DeLay (eds): How the world’s religions are responding to climate change: social scientific investigations. Hum. Ecol 42, 1009. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-014-9715-z.
Kauppinen T, Vesala K, Valros A (2011) Farmer attitude toward improvement of animal welfare is correlated with piglet production parameters. Livest Sci 143(2–3):142–150. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2011.09.011
Khalilian S, Shahvari N (2019) A SWAT evaluation of the effects of climate change on renewable water resources in Salt Lake Sub-Basin. Iran Agriengineering 1:44–57. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering1010004
Kollmuss A, Agyeman J (2002) Mind the gap: why do people act environmentally and what are the barriers to pro-environmental behavior? Environ Educ Res 8(3):239–260. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504620220145401
Kumar A, Sharma P, Joshi S (2016) Assessing the impacts of climate change on land productivity in Indian crop agriculture: an evidence from panel data analysis. J Agr Sci Tech 18(1): 1–13. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/344317628.
Lallo CHO, Cohen J, Rankine D, Taylor MA, Campbell J et al (2018) Characterizing heat stress on livestock using the temperature humidity index (THI)-prospects for a warmer Caribbean. Reg Environ Change 18(12):1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-018-1359-x
Liu Z, Smith WJ, Safi AS (2014) Rancher and farmer perceptions of climate change in Nevada, USA. Springer Clim Change 122:313–327. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0979-x
Maes D, Van Passel S (2017) An agent-based model of farmer behaviour to explain the limited adaptability of Flemish agriculture. Environ Innov Soc Transit 22:63–77. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eist.2016.06.001
MahdiNejad J, Azemati H, SadeghiHabibabad A (2020) Explaining an influential model of the significant relationship between religion, spirituality, and environmental peace in mosque interior architecture. J Relig Health 59:2149–2162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-020-00983-z
Márquez AL, Real R, Olivero J, Estrada A (2011) Combining climate with other influential factors for modelling the impact of climate change on species distribution. Clim Change 108(1–2):135–157. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-010-0010-8
Martinez LS, Lewis N (2016) The moderated influence of perceived behavioral control on intentions among the general US population: implications for public communication campaigns. J Health Commun 21(9):1006–1015. https://doi.org/10.1080/10810730.2016.1204378
Martinsohn M, Hansen H (2012) The impact of climate change on the economics of dairy farming - a review and evaluation. J Agric Environ Int Dev 61(2):1–16. https://doi.org/10.22004/ag.econ.199773
Megersa B, Markemann A, Angassa A, Ogutu GO, Piepho HP et al (2014) Livestock diversification: an adaptive strategy to climate and rangeland ecosystem changes in southern Ethiopia. Hum Ecol 42:509–520. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-014-9668-2
Mittal PK, Gottam GS, Gupta B, Bilochi DR (2019) The effect of climate change on productivity and reproductive and health performance of livestock: a review. J Entomol Zool 7(2): 04–09. https://www.entomoljournal.com/archives/?year=2019&vol=7&issue=2&ArticleId=4911.
Moreki JC, Tsopito CM (2013) Effect of climate change on dairy production in Botswana and its suitable mitigation strategies. Online J anim feed res 3(6):216–221
Munoz CA, Coleman GJ, Hemsworth PH, Campbel AJD, Doyle RE (2019) Positive attitudes, positive outcomes: the relationship between farmer attitudes, management behaviour and sheep welfare. PLoS ONE 14(7):e0220455. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0220455
Nardone A, Ronchi B, Lacetera N, Ranieri MS, Bernabucci U (2010) Effects of climate changes on animal production and sustainability of livestock systems. Livest Sci 130(1):57–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2010.02.011
Nath P, Behera B (2011) A critical review of impact of and adaptation to climate change in developed and developing economies. Environ Dev Sustain 13(1):141–162. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-010-9253-9
Niaura A (2013) Using the theory of planned behavior to investigate the determinants of environmental behavior among youth. Environ Res Eng Manag 63(1):74–81. https://doi.org/10.5755/j01.erem.63.1.2901
Nkondze MS (2014) The impact of climate change on livestock production in Swaziland: the case of Mpolonjeni area development programme. J Agric Stud 2(1):2166–379. https://doi.org/10.5296/jas.v2i1.4416
Okaka FO, Odhiambo BDO (2018) Urban residents’ awareness of climate change and their autonomous adaptive behaviour and mitigation measures in the coastal city of Mombasa. Kenya s Afr Geogr J 100(3):378–393. https://doi.org/10.1080/03736245.2018.1500302
Östlund U, Kidd L, Wengström Y, Rowa-Dewar N (2010) Combining qualitative and quantitative research within mixed method research designs a methodological review. Int J Nurs Stud 48(3). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2010.10.005.
Pandey R, Kumar P, Archie KM, Gupta AK, Joshi PK et al (2018) Climate change adaptation in the Western-Himalayas: household level perspectives on impacts and barriers. Ecol Indic 84:27–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2017.08.021
Pasqui M, Di Giuseppe E (2019) Climate change, future warming and adaptation in Europe. Anim Front 9(1):6–11. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfy036
Polley HW, Briske DD, Morgan JA, Wolter K, Bailey DW et al (2013) Climate change and North American rangelands: trends, projections, and implications. Rangeland Ecol Manage 66:493–511. https://doi.org/10.2111/REM-D-12-00068.1
Reynolds C, Crompton L, Mills J (2010) Livestock and climate change impacts in the developing world. Outlook Agric 39:245–248. https://doi.org/10.5367/oa.2010.0015
Rodrı ́guez-Cruz LA, Niles MT (2021) Awareness of climate change’s impacts and motivation to adapt are not enough to drive action: a look of Puerto Rican farmers after Hurricane Maria. PLoS ONE 16(1):e0244512. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0244512
Rojas-Downing MM, Nejadhashemi PA, Harrigan T, Woznicki AS (2017) Climate change and livestock: impacts, adaptation, and mitigation. Clim Risk Manag 16:145–163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.crm.2017.02.001
Rowlinson P, Steele M, Nefzaoui A (2008) Livestock and global climate change: adaptation I and II. In: Rowlinson P, Steel M, Nefzaoui A (eds) Livestock and Global Climate Change Conference Proceeding. Cambridge University Press, Tunisia, pp 56–85
Rust JM (2019) The impact of climate change on extensive and intensive livestock production systems. Anim Front 9(1):20–25. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfy028
Saboohi R, Barani H, Khodagholi M, AbediSarvestani A, Tahmasebi A (2019) Nomads’ indigenous knowledge and their adaptation to climatechanges in Semirom City in Central Iran. Theor Appl Climatol 137(1–2):1377–1384. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-018-2665-4
Sejian V, Bhatta R, Soren NM, Malik PK, Ravindra JP et al. (2015) Climate change impact on livestock: adaptation and mitigation. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-2265-1_1, © Springer India 2015.
Sejian V, Gaughan JB, Bhatta R, Naqvi SMKR (2016) Impact of climate change on livestock productivity. Broadening Horizons. https://www.feedipedia.org/sites/default/files/public/BH_026_climate_change_livestock.pdf. Accessed September 11, 2021.
Shabnam SAADIA (2013) Proposed model for predicting environmental purchase behavior of consumers. Eur J Acad Res 1(4):444–466
Shahvari N, Khalilian S, Mosavi SH, Mortazavi SA (2019) Assessing climate change impacts on water resources and crop yield: a case study of Varamin plain basin, Iran. Environ Monit Assess 191(134). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-7266-x.
Snaibi W (2020) Analysis of livestock breeders’ perceptions and their adaptation measures to climate change in Morocco’s arid rangelands. Change Adapt Socio-Ecol Syst 6:1–25. https://doi.org/10.1515/cass-2020-0100
Stakhiv E, Stewart B (2010) Needs for climate information in support of decision-making in the water sector. Procedia Environ Sci 1:102–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proenv.2010.09.008
Strauss A, Corbin J (1998) Basics of qualitative research: procedures and techniques for developing grounded theory. https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/basics-of-qualitative-research/book235578. Accessed March 01, 2019.
Tejsner P, Veldhuis D (2018) Climate change as (dis)equilibrium: behavioral resilience in the greenlandic arctic. Hum Ecol 46:701–715. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10745-018-0026-7
Thamo T, Addai D, Pannell DJ, Robertson MJ, Thomas DT et al (2017) Climate change impacts and farm-level adaptation: economic analysis of a mixed cropping–livestock system. Agric Syst 150:99–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2016.10.013
Thornton PK, van de Steeg J, Notenbaert A, Herrero M (2009) The impacts of climate change on livestock and livestock systems in developing countries: a review of what we know and what we need to know. Agric Syst 101(3):113–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agsy.2009.05.002
Thornton PK, Gerber PJ (2010) Climate change and the growth of the livestock sector in developing countries. Mitig Adapt Strateg Glob Chang 15(2):169–184. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11027-009-9210-9
Wang W, Zhao X, Cao J, Li H, Zhang Q (2020) Barriers and requirements to climate change adaptation of mountainous rural communities in developing countries: the case of the eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau of China. Land Use Policy 65:104354. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104354
Wauters E, Mathijs E (2010) A behavioural model for the adoption of soil conservation practices. Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research-Social Sciences Unit, Burgemeester Van Gansberghelaan, 109.
Wu J, Sun L (2020) Social support networks and adaptive behaviour choice: a social adaptation model for migrant children in China based on grounded theory. Child Youth Serv Rev 104940, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.104940
Zolait A (2013) The nature and components of perceived behavioural control as an element of theory of planned behaviour. Behav Inf Technol 33(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/0144929X.2011.630419.
Zsuzsa P (2012) Dissertation. Considerations regarding the relation between final consumers’ knowledge and attitudes toward organic foods and their buying behavior. Faculty of Economics and Business Administration Marketing Department (Doctoral dissertation, Ph. D. Thesis Google Scholar).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Communicated by Debbie Ley
Publisher's note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Ahmadi, M., Najafabadi, M.O. & Motamedvaziri, B. Identifying drivers of adaptive behavior among livestock breeders in Varamin County, Iran: an exploratory sequential mixed-methods approach. Reg Environ Change 22, 26 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01890-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-022-01890-7