Awareness and Perception of Rangeland Users on Occurrence of Climate Change in Relation to Environmental Resources Sustainability (Case study: Rangeland Users in the Central Part of Najafabad)

Climate change is a global challenge that has had harmful effects on human health, the environment, and natural resources, especially rangelands and rangeland users’ livelihoods. Recognition and perception of local users of the sign’s climate change is a fundamental step in how to face and employ appropriate strategies to mitigate and adapt to the effects of climate change and environmental resources sustainability. This study assesses the awareness and perception of rangeland users on the occurrence of signs of climate change in the central part of Najafabad, including the villages of Jalalabad, Hajiabad, and Nahastabad. The statistical population of the study included 68 rangeland users, according to Cochran's formula, 58 of them were selected as a statistical sample. The perception of local communities about the occurrence of climate change in the three dimensions of rainfall, temperature, and wind was measured with 9, 9, and 5 items, respectively, in the form of a seven-choice Likert scale. After completing the questionnaire and recording the information in the Excel spreadsheet, data analysis was performed using SPSS software, and graphs were drawn in the Excel environment. The results showed that %77.59 of the respondents estimated a high level of understanding of the signs of climate change. From the set of components related to the perception of signs of changes in rainfall, temperature, and wind, the amount of water in springs, aqueducts, and deep wells (1), the intensity of temperature fluctuations in the region (2), and the wind speed (intensification of winds) in the region (3) were assigned the highest priority. In general, it can be concluded that in order to deal with the consequences of climate change and the sustainability of environmental resources, the perception and attitude of rangeland users could be effective in the success of adaptation policies and strategies.
 
Extended Abstract
1-Introduction
Climate change has greatly affected the sustainability of the environmental resources of the countries of the world, thus, it has been recognized as a global issue and one of the challenges facing contemporary society. In fact, climate change is a reality, as many studies have confirmed its changes in temperature and precipitation patterns. In a broader sense, climate change includes changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, humidity, sea level, greenhouse gases, and human activities. In this regard, climate change can be considered one of the most serious challenges to the sustainability of environmental resources, which has important economic, social, and environmental consequences. Considering that the local, regional, and national contexts are different and individuals and groups face risks, climate change adaptation strategies are diverse according to regions and countries. One of the key factors that can explain the understanding of climate change is people's personal experience with severe climate events such as rainfall and temperature fluctuations; such experiences provide an opportunity for people to witness the unusual effects of climate change and thus understand the risk more obviously. Adaptive measures against climate change are effective when local communities have a relevant understanding of climate change and their vulnerability. It is emphasized that people can not only understand its occurrence but also have the ability to recognize the relevant incidents. Therefore, having a correct understanding of climate change is an important prerequisite for dealing with negative effects and livelihood adaptations. In this case, it can be hoped that people can reduce its negative consequences or take advantage of its positive effects and steps towards the sustainability of environmental resources. Considering the phenomenon of climate change that has occurred in recent years, how to deal with climate change and the sustainability of environmental resources has become especially important, and the attitude and perception of people and different groups affected by this phenomenon is essential. Thus, this paper examines the perception of rangeland users about the occurrence of climate change in the past 20 years from the point of view of the respondents in three villages of Jalalabad, Hajiabad, and Nahzatabad in the central part of Najafabad city.
 
2-Materials and Methods
This research examines the perception of local communities about the occurrence of climate change in the central part of Najafabad city. The statistical population was 68 rangeland users in Jalalabad, Hajiabad, and Nahastabad villages, according to Cochran's formula, 58 operators were selected as a statistical sample. The perception of local communities about the occurrence of climate change in the three dimensions of rainfall, temperature, and wind was measured with 9, 9, and 5 items, respectively, in the form of a seven-choice Likert scale. After completing the questionnaire and recording the data was entered in an Excel spreadsheet, and analyzed using SPSS software. In order to prioritize and classify the level of perception of local communities about the occurrence of signs and the occurrence of climate change in the three investigated dimensions, the standard deviation difference from the mean or ISDM standard was used.
 
3- Results and Discussion
The results showed that 77.59 percent of the respondents overestimated their level of understanding of the signs of climate change. From the set of components related to the perception of signs of rainfall change, the amount of water from springs, aqueducts, and deep wells (1), the time of the beginning and end of rainfall (2), the number and intensity of floods (3), were assigned the highest priority. Surface water sources and the amount of seasonal river water were assigned the lowest priority. It can be said that the benefit for local users of springs and canals is tangible. Considering surface water and seasonal rivers to be the least priority is probably either few or non-existent in the region, or they don't have the ability to use surface water. From the set of components related to the perception of signs of temperature change, the intensity of temperature fluctuations (1), the amount of temperature in the hot season (summer) (2), and the rapid melting of snow (3), respectively, were the highest priority. Drought was given the lowest priority. In this regard, it can be said that the intensity of temperature fluctuations and the temperature in the hot season are tangible components that are more understandable. The fact that drought is the last priority can be attributed to the fact that Najafabad city is located in the steppe region and is exposed to constant drought. From the set of components related to the perception of signs of wind change, wind speed (1), the number of dusty days (2), and the number of severe winds (3), respectively were the highest priority, and the number of early storms was given the lowest priority. In this regard, it can be stated that the wind speed in the region and the number of dusty days in the region are tangible components that are more understandable.
 
4- Conclusion
Considering the need to deal with the local users affected by climate change, it is necessary to study the criteria that are components of climate change but have not yet been experienced or their effects have not been very noticeable for local communities. Moreover, in order to increase users' awareness about the effects of climate change, if possible, facilities and support measures to deal with the conditions caused by climate change should be provided to rangeland users. It is necessary to use the experiences of other regions and to recognize the views of different disciplines and lessons learned and their experiences to deal with climate change. In general, it can be concluded that in order to deal with the consequences of climate change and the sustainability of environmental resources, the perception and attitude of rangeland users can be effective in the success of adaptation policies and strategies.