B. 3
The adoption literature for the GBR
There is an increasing literature discussing the factors that affect adoption of agricultural broadly and conservation practices, specifically in Australia and targeted to understanding in GBR catchments. Key findings of research into adoption of land management and conservation practices in the GBR is provided in Box B. 1.
B. 3.1
Key factors and findings of land management change adoption in the GBR
Box B. 1 Summary of barriers to adoption of conservation and land management incentives in the GBR region
Greiner( 2011)( Northern Australia): � Found that intrinsic motivations of farmers were more dominant than financial motivations for farmers in Northern Australia when it came to adoption of conservation practices. The exception to this was for works that required large capital costs
� Conservation management not fitting with current practices and / or not fitting with goals presented a significant barrier to adoption � Lack of trial ability was a barrier to adoption � Required investment in skill were also significant adoption inhibitors. Januchowski-Hartley( 2012)( Mackay Whitsundays): � In the Mackay Whitsundays found that program bias towards ecological rather than production outcomes, impractical programs and government mistrust were barriers to adoption for riparian conservation incentives
� Private benefit was a strong driver for engagement. Private benefit was reported as being from“ a sense of stewardship” and“ improved landscape aesthetics”. Greiner( 2009)( Burdekin) � Found that conservation and lifestyle goals are the prime motivations for graziers in the Burdekin � Farmers with high conservation and lifestyle motivations tended to have the greatest adoption of conservation practices � Those motivated by economic / financial and social goals are looking for external assistance such as government incentives and extension Herr( 2004)( Burdekin) � Impediments to conservation practice adoption fall into the categories of 1) due to uncertainty; 2) due to information gaps and 3) due to financial constraints
� Landholders preferred financial incentives such as tax concessions and cost sharing arrangements as well as tenure conversion from leasehold to freehold for conservation effort
� Insufficient labour resources and variable climate conditions were significant impediments to conservation practices in general. These plus uncertainty about tenure, uncertainty about the industry, loss of productive capacity on property, lack of broader community support and insufficient information about optimal management practices were impediments to adoption more generally
Landholders driving change: Exploring new incentives | 73