Florida residents’ perceived role in protecting water quantity and quality through landscape practices

As in many places in the world, the state of Florida in the United States (U.S.) faces important water scarcity and quality issues due to a changing climate and growing population. Many organizations work to encourage appropriate landscape fertilization and irrigation practices to address these issues but factors that influence residential landscape management behaviors are not fully understood. This study employed quantitative survey methodology to evaluate differences in the factors that influence engagement in good landscape practices: Floridians’ attitudes, perceived subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control towards good fertilization and irrigation practices. We found more positive attitudes, stronger social support, and greater perceived behavioral control surrounding water conservation compared to water quality protection. We also examined intent to engage in specific fertilization and irrigation practices, finding varied levels of intent exist. These results revealed an opportunity for landscape professionals to correct disconnects by helping residents understand their personal impact on water quality while providing support for the overall high attitudes, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control toward good irrigation and fertilization behaviors.