Human Dimensions That Drive Soil Degradation - Principles of Sustainable Soil Management in Agroecosystems - page 179

which technology will give them maximum returns (Angelsen and Kaimowitz
1999). Labor-saving technology can result in specific kinds of land cover conversion.
Technological changes that increase agricultural yields without altering labor or capi-
tal have led to increased deforestation as more resources were freed up for working
on additional land (Angelsen and Kaimowitz; Reardon et al. 2001; Southgate 1999).
7.4.6 c uLture and r eLIgIon
Culture and religion are among the indirect drivers of changes in ecosystem
(Millennium Ecosystem Assessment [MEA] 2005). In order to understand the link
between culture and soil degradation, one can view culture as a set of values, beliefs,
and norms shared by a group of people. Culture shapes perceptions of individuals
and how individuals perceive the world. In turn, the perceptions influence what indi-
viduals consider important and suggest which courses of action are appropriate and
inappropriate (MEA 2005).
Lambin et al. (2003) argue that the attitudes, values, beliefs, and individual per-
ceptions of land managers influence their land use decisions, which have intended
and unintended consequences on ecosystems. This argument fits into a long line
of studies explaining human behavior using the theory of planned behavior (Ajzen
1991). This psychological theory posits that individual behavior, such as undertaking
particular land management practices, is a function of attitudes, norms, perceived
behavioral control, and intentions.
One important aspect of culture is religion. Studies of the influence of religion on
environmental concern and behavior have reached divergent conclusions (Sherkat
and Ellison 2007). While some studies have found negative effect of religious fac-
tors (Guth et al. 1993, 1995), others have found that religious beliefs have a positive
effect or no influence (Hayes and Marangudakis 2000, 2001; Sherkat and Ellison
2007). Invoking Genesis, Chapter 1, verses 27 and 28, in his essay, Lynn White Jr.
(1967) argued that poor environmental management was due to religious beliefs that
humans were superior to nature and could deal with it as they wished with no obliga-
tion to care for it. White's argument was supported by Eckberg and Blocker (1996),
but others have concluded that religion contributes to individuals being more con-
cerned with the protection of the environment rather than less (Sherkat and Ellison
2007; Schultz et al. 2000; Sauer and Nelson 2011). For instance, Sherkat and Ellison
(2007) found a significant positive effect of church attendance on stewardship orien-
tation. They also found that beliefs in the inerrancy of scripture have a strong positive
impact on support for environmental stewardship. While such studies typically do not
examine soil degradation, they do point to environmental protection more generally.
Writing specifically about soil, Sauer and Nelson (2011) argue that sustaining soil
productivity requires incorporation of ethical principles into management decisions.
7.4.7 P sychoLogIcaL f actors In L and m anager d ecIsIon m akIng
Most of the indirect drivers discussed above are linked to factors outside of the
individual. That is, the context of a society (population growth, urbanization, pov-
erty, government policies, culture, and religion) or global forces (globalization,