Factors associated with water resource conservation behavior among riverine communities: The roles of knowledge, attitudes, information exposure, and local indigenous knowledge practices in the Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand

Information from the abstract

Freshwater ecosystem degradation has become a critical environmental challenge that threatens ecological sustainability, water security, and community livelihoods worldwide. Although increasing attention has been given to water resource management, limited quantitative evidence exists on how socio-cognitive factors and local indigenous knowledge practices are associated with water resource conservation behavior. This study examined the factors associated with water resource conservation behavior among riverine communities in the Chao Phraya River Basin, Thailand. A quantitative research design was employed using questionnaire surveys administered to 420 households in Ang Thong Province. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that attitudes toward indigenous knowledge and water conservation had the strongest positive association with water resource conservation behavior (β = 0.724, p < 0.001). Knowledge and understanding about water conservation and the presence of local indigenous knowledge practices were also positively associated with water resource conservation behavior, whereas information exposure was negatively associated with water resource conservation behavior. The findings provide empirical evidence that socio-cognitive factors and local indigenous knowledge practices are more strongly associated with water resource conservation behavior than socio-demographic characteristics, offering practical insights for strengthening community-based environmental governance and sustainable river basin management.

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Related topics: Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management · Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Agriculture · Indigenous Studies and Ecology