Objective:

This study identifies factors that determine a ranchers' positive attitude towards conservation of rangelands across Sonora River municipalities, Mexico.

Methodology:

An ordinal logistic regression (RLO) estimates the probability of a certain level of attitude in a sample of 89 ranchers (survey conducted from October 2018 to March 2019 in Bacoachi, Arizpe, Banámichi, Huépac, San Felipe de Jesús, Aconchi, and Baviácora), given sociodemographic and productive variables, as well as ranchers' perception based on ecosystem services (ES) offered by rangelands.

Results:

The likelihood of a very positive attitude toward rangeland conservation increases according to educational level, occupational status (i.e. keep active despite reaching retirement age), live in a nuclear family and in an upstream municipality, as well as perceive the existence of provisioning services for food and textile purposes. Additionally, the attitude is very positive when the property is private and the crop-growing land rises; also, the probability increases if a municipality, where the rangeland is located, concentrates a small share of total agricultural and livestock regional production value.

Limitations:

Considering its exploratory nature, this research refers to certain perceptions about rangeland biodiversity, which narrows down the conclusions; therefore, authors suggest expanding the study and include others ES (e.g. regulating, cultural, and supporting services).

Conclusions:

The study determined the contributing factors for a better ranchers' attitude towards conservation and, consequently, it supports a training program.

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