Date of Award
May 2020
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management
Committee Member
Matthew TJ Brownlee
Committee Member
Robert B Powell
Committee Member
Elizabeth D Baldwin
Committee Member
Brenda B Bowen
Abstract
This dissertation focuses on illuminating human perceptions in a social-ecological system (SES) through three studies: (1) revealing human perceptions of the influence of social network structure on social dynamics in an SES; (2) understanding human perceptions of biophysical and social change related to a SES, and (3) exploring how key stakeholder groups might perceive social-ecological reciprocities in an SES. To achieve these endeavors, this dissertation advances analytical tools that have yet to be widely used in natural resource management to understand stakeholders’ perceptions of social-ecological complexity: social network models, perceptions of change, and fuzzy logic cognitive mapping. These tools represent a combination of objective social analysis, inquiry into subjective perceptions, and subjective mental modeling, all of which may be useful for natural resource managers who need or desire to engage in SES thinking. The three studies herein thus apply these tools to the complex social-ecological system known as the Bonneville Salt Flats (BSF) in western Utah (USA).
Recommended Citation
Blacketer, Michael Patrick, "Illuminating Perceptions of Social-Ecological Complexity for More Holistic Management of Parks and Protected Areas" (2020). All Dissertations. 2612.
https://tigerprints.clemson.edu/all_dissertations/2612