Factors affecting landowner participation in ecosystem management: a case study in south-central Missouri

The use of ecosystem management is becoming increasingly widespread and oft en includes both public and private land. However, little is known about ho w landowners perceive or respond to calls for participation in ecosystem ma nagement programs. Our study focuses on that subject. It is based on a case study of a watershed project in southcentral Missouri. We administered str uctured, in-person interviews to a random sample of 98 landowners. Results indicated that knowledge of the EARTH Project, perceived efficacy regarding the EARTH Project, trust of the agencies involved, and perceptions of pers onal impacts from land-cattle management on Brush Creek are related to land owner interest in participating in EARTH Project cost-share programs. We co nclude that ecosystem management will be more successful if efforts are mad e to educate landowners about their impacts on the ecosystem and to facilit ate greater public ownership in the development and implementation of ecosy stem management programs.