Biology Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2749
Browse
4 results
Search Results
Item Building Flood Resilience in Social-Ecological Systems(2023) Snider, Natalie L.; Dennison, William C.; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Historic driving forces of economic development, continually growing population and expanding inequities, are already challenging the resilience of the social-ecological system (SES) on multiple fronts, including socially, economically and environmentally. Existing and increasing threats from climate change will exacerbate the challenges in managing for resilience. The dynamic nature, involvement of multiscale feedback mechanisms between the natural and social sub-systems, possible existence of multiple states of the social-ecological system and inability to ever gain full control or understanding make it a challenge for institutions and actors to define and manage the system boundaries, its components and feedbacks. This complexity requires a transdisciplinary approach that integrates those most impacted into building knowledge and solutions across the environmental, economic and social fields. Similarly, institutions managing these systems will need to develop new approaches and strategies to integrate social, ecological, economic and political aspects of the SES and expand the participation of individual actors in the system, including a redistribution of power to successfully achieve resilience outcomes. The Social-Ecological Resilience Framework, proposed here, seeks to build resilience in the SES through purposeful interventions to maintain or change the forms, functions or both. This framework relates the key terms of sustainability, adaptation, transition and transformation, under the overall umbrella term of resilience. Within this framework, resilience is defined as the ability of the system to sustain, adapt, transition or transform in the face of acute or systemic change. Each subsequent term is then defined by the level of change in forms and functions: (1) sustainable maintains the same forms and functions, (2) adaptation changes the forms while maintain the functions, (3) transition changes the functions while maintaining the forms and (4) transformation changes both forms and functions. The framework can be used to manage the changes that society is experiencing in these systems. Adaptive management and social learning are two examples of approaches for managing the SES under the overarching construct of the Social-Ecological Resilience Framework. Adaptive management, an iterative decision-making process to address uncertainties and adapt to future conditions, should be combined with social learning, a participatory process where knowledge, skills and values are gained or modified through social interactions and collective learning. This dissertation demonstrates the framework and these approaches through five case studies focused on building resilience to flood impacts. Flooding is the costliest natural disaster in the world. However, the calculation of disasters costs typically only includes the cost of flood damages to infrastructure. But flooding is also putting a toll on society’s ability to provide social services, maintain important social factors, such as community cohesion, impacting both physical and mental health, exacerbating inequities and deteriorating the environment and ecosystem services, all with significant costs. In China’s Sponge Cities Program, the key takeaway is that defining the SES, both geographically and in terms of important forms and functions relevant to achieving the resilience goals, should be identified early to be able to address any barriers to success. The key takeaway of the Coastal Structures case study is that roles and responsibilities need to be clearly defined for institutions and actors, by which they can collectively achieve both institutional goals of reducing the societal impacts of flooding and the actors’ goals of reducing their own impacts to well-being. In the Honduras case study, the key takeaway is that building institutional support requires a redistribution of power dynamics to facilitate bottom-up approaches that can increase the utility of resilience actions to solving more than one social, ecological or economic problem within the SES. In Indonesia’s case study, by identifying the key forms and functions for each resilience goal, the range of possible vulnerabilities can be better defined, and timelines of potential changes and strategies to safeguard that positive outcomes are achieved can be developed. And finally, in Louisiana, the key takeaway is that institutions should not be defining the future of the SES without all the key actors engaged or represented. Institutions should support building a common vision of a resilient future through an integrated adaptive management and social learning program. The dissertation discusses a proposed Social-Ecological Resilience Framework (Chapter 1) to define key terms that integrates the notion of resilience, sustainability, adaptation, transition and transformation in relationship to each other and in relationship to the form and function of the SES. Several case studies from around the world demonstrate various aspects of operationalizing the framework. Technical aspects of adaptive management are developed and applied to a case study in Louisiana (Chapter 2). Lastly, social learning is then integrated into adaptive management using the same case study (Chapter 3). Both of these two chapters discuss actions to build resilience in the SES at a localized scale. Managing a social-ecological system (SES) can be an arduous task, and many institutions, such as governmental, non-profit, and research entities, may feel overwhelmed by the complexity and scope of this challenge. It's tempting to concentrate on a particular aspect of the system that seems more manageable or familiar. Nevertheless, without adopting a systems-thinking approach and examining the interactions within and beyond the SES, there is a risk of unintended and cascading consequences and missed opportunities to tackle multiple vulnerabilities collectively. Although this dissertation focuses on flood-related risks, the underlying themes and methodologies are relevant to any disaster, whether caused by nature or humans. Ultimately, our shared efforts to shape a more equitable, resilient, and sustainable world for present and future generations can benefit from these approaches.Item UNDERSTANDING MANAGED RETREAT THROUGH A MULTI-STAKEHOLDER LENS: A CASE STUDY ON THE LOWER EASTERN SHORE OF MARYLAND(2021) Miralles, Andrea Maria; Paolisso, Michael J.; Alcañiz, Isabella; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Due to concerns about increasing sea levels and climate displacement, there has been a growing interest in the adaptation option of managed retreat. In managed retreat, shorelines move inland acting as a natural buffer to coastal climate impacts, while coastal communities move to higher ground through voluntary home buyouts. Managed retreat is also highly controversial, as it is poorly understood and presents significant challenges to equity. In order to address these issues, this thesis research provides a multi-stakeholder analysis on the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland focused on understandings and trust in managed retreat processes. Key findings from this research are that communities, government and non-governmental organizations have different understandings of managed retreat, that retreat discussions need to occur at official levels now, that equity must be a central component of planning, that trust is necessary for successful retreat and that any future retreat must emphasize community agency and collaboration.Item STAKEHOLDER CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES: APPLYING A SOCIO- ECOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK TO INTEGRATE HUMAN DIMENSIONS WITH U.S. WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT(2021) Gedeon, Taylor Marie; Shaffer, L. Jen; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Wildlife practitioners face growing pressures to work at the interface of ecological and social issues yet the model they use in the United States, the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation (NAMWC), relies heavily on natural sciences. Inclusion of social science perspectives is needed to provide a consistent methodology to assess the current and desired conditions of both wildlife and humans. Current state wildlife practitioners offer a unique perspective into the challenges that exist barring this integration. Through semi-structured interviews with wildlife managers in Maryland and Florida, this research explores current definitions of the term stakeholder, stakeholder role, agency role, and the applicability of a socio- ecological approach for native versus nonnative species. Interviews revealed inherent issues with the NAMWC, and challenges and opportunities for the integration of human dimensions. By understanding existing challenges and opportunities, agencies can begin to develop holistic solutions for the increasing demands of human-wildlife conflict.Item THE ROLE OF SOCIO-ENVIRONMENTAL REPORT CARDS IN TRANSDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATION AND ADAPTIVE GOVERNANCE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE(2020) Nguyen, Vanessa Vargas; Dennison, William C; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Addressing sustainability challenges and overcoming environmental problems requires fundamental societal changes. However, communicating these issues and convincing people to act is challenging. One emerging science communication tool that can accommodate this need is boundary-spanning report cards. Report cards were originally used as a tool for assessing and communicating ecosystem health conditions, but there are a growing number of report cards that incorporate socio-economic values. My dissertation focuses on investigating the role of socio-environmental report cards in addressing sustainability challenges. My research question was centered around whether considering human dimensions and understanding the links between natural and social components of socio-environmental systems can lead to a productive collaboration. This collaboration can lead to positive actions that contribute to a sustainable future. My research has two major themes:1) Evaluation of report cards and 2) Evolution of the report card process. First, I found that report cards from a diversity of locations can lead to environmental literacy and promote sustainable actions and positive environmental change. Then, using the Mississippi River Watershed report card as a case study, I demonstrated that report cards are boundary objects that can serve as a platform for transdisciplinary collaboration and serve as a catalyst for collective action. I also established that various report cards in the Chesapeake Bay watershed were able to enhance adaptive governance by facilitating continual learning and cross-scale exchange of information between different organizations. My results highlighted the evolution of report cards from a product created to increase awareness and education about environmental issues, to a process that engages stakeholders. My conclusion is that report cards should include both social and environmental indicators and the process needs to be stakeholder-driven and action-oriented. I developed a framework and a theory of change to guide how socio-environmental report cards can address sustainability challenges and applied it in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. By creating a holistic assessment that balances environmental, economic, and social concerns, socio-environmental report cards incorporate multiple perspectives from multisectoral actors. Thus, socio-environmental report cards can enhance adaptive governance and provide the foundation for collaborative solutions for sustainable resource management.