Farmers’ perspectives on the concept of transitional polders as a climate adaptation measure: A case study from Zeeland, the Netherlands

The concept of transitional polders is emerging as a promising nature-based flood protection strategy in deltas. Transitional polders are a form of tidal restoration that aim at stimulating sedimentation processes and thereby facilitating land-level rise in low-lying polders. They require the temporary suspension of existing land-use, often agriculture, which may lead to opposition among private landowners such as farmers. At the same time, transitional polders provide alternative economic opportunities and benefits for agriculture, which may have a positive effect on the perspectives of farmers. In this study, we examine support among farmers for the concept of transitional polders and identify socio-psychological determinants that shape their support. We administered questionnaires among farmers in the province of Zeeland, the Netherlands (n=91) and used regression analysis to analyze the collected data. Results indicate that although support for immediate implementation of transitional polders is limited, farmers do express openness to further exploration of the concept. Low outcome expectancies stand out as having the strongest effect on farmers’ level of support, while negative affective responses, risk perception and climate skepticism also play a role. To increase support, pilot projects are needed to test the concept in practice and generate more knowledge on the feasibility and benefits of transitional polders. Involving farmers in the development and exchange of this knowledge may further support learning and acceptance. Future research should examine support for location-specific designs to further our understanding of how transitional polders could move from a promising concept toward concrete implementation.