Geoscience Reference
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instructive. In highly consumptive neighborhoods, which represent critical target
areas for conservation, residents' perceptions indicate a lack of awareness about
water use rates. This is especially true in areas with relatively xeric, desert-like
landscapes, which seem to perpetuate residents' false perception of low water
consumption. In order to address these misperceptions, we recommend developing
informational and marketing campaigns to establish a sense of responsibility for
conservation in these neighborhoods as well as to raise knowledge about appropri-
ate watering techniques for drought-tolerate landscapes that are commonly
overwatered.
Where perceived water use matches demand, however, alternative strategies
might be more effective. Given that affluence and the age of housing appear to
substantially influence water demand, for instance, conservation programs that
encourage the adoption of more efficient technologies and infrastructure can help
to hard-wire efficiencies in highly consumptive households. Utilizing GIS and
mixed research methods, our neighborhood approach assists with strategically
targeting conservation efforts in geographic areas with similar determinants of
demand. Yet to fully understanding complex human-environment interactions,
integrated research at multiple scales—from individual households and neigh-
borhoods to municipalities and entire regions—are needed. Although socio-spatial
research must overcome challenges associated with disparate data types and
sources, the richness of information provided by mixing quantitative and qualitative
analyses furthers holistic understanding of coupled human-environment systems.
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