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  • About
  • The Global ETD Search service is a free service for researchers to find electronic theses and dissertations. This service is provided by the Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations.
    Our metadata is collected from universities around the world. If you manage a university/consortium/country archive and want to be added, details can be found on the NDLTD website.
1

Towards ecosystem-based management of shellfish aquaculture in British Columbia, Canada: an industry perspective.

Mamoser, Melanie Paula 31 August 2011 (has links)
With declining wild fisheries and increasing seafood demand from a growing population, attention has turned to aquaculture in general, and shellfish aquaculture in particular, to meet this demand. Aquaculture has grown dramatically in the last twenty years through intensification of operations and the expansion of the industry into new areas. This growth has been associated with environmental degradation and social conflict leading some to question its sustainability. However, those studying the problem point to significant opportunities for sustainable forms of aquaculture by focusing on the cultivation of species such as shellfish and the adoption of ecosystem-based management (EBM). Shellfish aquaculture has a long history in British Columbia (B.C.), Canada with an abundance of coastline and suitable water conditions. There is significant development potential for shellfish aquaculture in B.C., which creates an opportunity to ensure this development occurs in an ecologically sound way through the use of governance approaches like ecosystem-based management. Transitioning from conventional approaches to resource management to an ecosystem-based approach presents several challenges particularly for the management of one sector. This study highlights how an understanding of the industry and the existing governance context can inform the implementation of EBM. The specific research objectives include: (1) to understand the governance system for shellfish aquaculture in B.C.; (2) to understand the shellfish aquaculture industry within the context of EBM; and (3) to explore EBM as an approach to governance in the shellfish aquaculture industry in B.C. The main method of inquiry is a questionnaire survey (October 2006 to February 2008) of the shellfish aquaculture industry. Supporting methods include an analysis of industry data, an in-depth analysis of government documents, policies and regulations, and targeted interviews with federal and provincial government regulators. The empirical knowledge gained through the main research instrument was combined with the contextual knowledge gained through the supporting methods to achieve a more holistic understanding of the case study. The results show that the governance setting for the shellfish aquaculture industry is multi-lateral and the lack of comprehensive and targeted legal instruments, and the ill-use of marine spatial planning and conflicts with other coastal users have together contributed to an inefficient and costly site application process. EBM has the potential to address some of these challenges with the current governance process by making some decisions on an ecosystem-scale as opposed to an application-by-application basis, such as assessing the presence of fish habitat and consulting with stakeholders. The results of the survey of the shellfish aquaculture industry show that the industry is geographically diverse, and understands and values the connection between their business and the large ecosystem. This suggests that the industry may be supportive of EBM. However, the industry faces many economic challenges that may influence their capacity to participate, as such regulators should look towards the use of economic incentives to achieve policy objectives. Although this research provided several recommendations for management and the industry in moving forward with this new approach to governance, three fundamental elements are needed: • marine spatial planning that is integrated within the governance framework; • the integration science and management through adaptive management including an ongoing monitoring framework that informs governance strategies; and, • engaging the industry as active partners in this governance approach through co-management. This research makes significant contribution to understanding the shellfish aquaculture industry in B.C. Prior to this study there was little information available characterizing the structure and socio-economic make-up of the industry. The results of the survey and the in-depth analysis of the governance context for the shellfish aquaculture industry provide a previously unavailable base of information from which to build future studies. In addition this research contributes to the growing body of literature on EBM assessing the potential challenges and opportunities for moving the theoretical concept into practice. / Graduate
2

Studies on the management and reformation of Taiwan inshore fishery

Wang, Tzu-Kuan 06 January 2012 (has links)
Abstract Taiwan is surrounded by the ocean with enriched marine eco-diversity and coastal terrains, making it a land of abundant fishery resources. Yet, after Taiwan was returned to ROC in 1945, the abuse of inshore fishery due to economical development resulted in overfishing. Under the development of industrialization, marine pollution and the use of destructive fishing gear have also caused a great damage to the ecological and biological diversities along the inshore to the drastic decrease in fisheries. Thus, how the government may find a balance between sustainability in fishery resources and economical development in local fishing communities is the major interest of this study. The present research conducts the work through the collection of annual fishing statistics and the questionnaire survey of local fishermen and government administrators. This study analyzes the changing trends of inshore fishery in Taiwan and investigates the effectiveness of current fishery regulations and the policy of fishing transformation along the inshore in Taiwan. The fisheries administration is currently adapting several fishery regulatory measures which include fishery licenses, replacement of boats and fishing vessels, and suspension of fishing activities / fishing moratorium for the management of fishery resources. Yet the fishery resources are still shrinking each year. It is obvious that those measures are ineffective on slowing down the speedy drop of fishery resources. The survey results showed that the effective administrative efforts should involve the regulation policy on fishing gears, fishing methods, fishing zones, and fishing seasons. A top-down fishery management system should be integrated with the bottom-up fishermen¡¦s autonomy, in order to establish a feasible coordination system between fishermen and the administration. In the long term, in addition to the management of some target fishes, it is important to integrate the fishery policy and management with the sustainable management of the living environment and ecosystem. These should include the assigning fishery preservation areas and the protection of the marine habitats to ensure biological diversity and to maintain the sustainable fishery resources. To reduce the fishing impact on fishery resources involving buy out the additional fishing boats, the government should actively help fishermen on their career reform. The government should also encourage the conversion of overcapacity fishing boats to the entertainment fishery. Yet through questionnaires and interviews, this study has found that most fishermen are reluctant to change their career owing to the lack of specialties and the high cost of boat remodeling. This study suggests that marine tourist vessels and whale-watching boats should be categorized as entertainment boats under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Communication. Yet, small fishing-entertainment boats are mainly for marine fishing, or watching traditional fishing / net caging operations, and tourist diving that all operate during the off-seasons. For this, the government should provide various fishing trainings, improve the harbor facilities for entertainment fishery, and cultivate all citizens¡¦ feelings of love for the ocean to promote the marine tour vacationing and the entertainment fishery. In the coastal 200 nautical miles exclusive fisheries zone, involving fishery habitat and reproduction ground, is the sovereign right control area of every coastal country. Thus, the government is entitled to decide the optimum fishery utilization independently as the basis of the fishery development for the food security, environment and resources conservation, and fishing community social stability. The present work concludes that government should plan and establish strategies for an effective management on the inshore fishery to ensure a sustainable fishery development.
3

An ecosystem-based management approach for maintaining sandhill crane nesting habitat on northern Vancouver Island

Innes, Tyler 15 June 2010 (has links)
Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) migratory populations use wetland ecosystems on northern Vancouver Island for their breeding habitat. With wind energy development being proposed for the area, an ecosystem-based management approach is being used to maintain Sandhill Crane breeding habitat and biological diversity within the bog wetland complex of the Nahwitti Plateau at the northern tip of the island. Shelter, forage and nesting habitat suitability were identified and rated with a six-class scheme from April to October over a two-year period. Vegetation surveys and crane inventories were carried out in 2006 and 2007 to spatially map the structure and patterns of bog ecosystems used by migrating cranes. The highest-rated Sandhill Crane nesting habitat consisted of sedge and low shrub dominated blanket bog wetlands with vegetated mounds. Riparian features and bog forests were also determined to be important habitats for forage, shelter, and living habitat. Based on the analysis, three Wildlife Habitat Areas were proposed to maintain Sandhill Crane nesting habitat and connected ecological services that support ecosystem-based management objectives, including promoting human well-being.
4

Conservation on a Regional Scale: Assessing the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

McGregor, Tanya January 2003 (has links)
Trends in environmental and resource management point to a more collaborative, integrated and regional approach, discussed in terms of concepts such as ecosystem management and collaborative planning. Such an approach has the potential to address some of the shortfalls previously encountered in environmental management and nature conservation, and has been the focus of considerable discussion in the literature. While a number of efforts are underway, there remains a need to identify how a regional approach can best be undertaken in practice. This research assessed the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), a recent regional conservation initiative in western North America, which has been the focus of considerable attention in the conservation community. This research assessed the strengths and limitations of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative in terms of its contribution to regional conservation planning, aiming to gain an understanding of implications for similar regional conservation efforts. Literature relating to regional conservation was examined to derive principles for effective regional conservation planning, as a basis for comparison with Y2Y. Drawing from needs of ecosystem management, collaborative planning, and related concepts, criteria were developed to assess the formative stages of a regional approach, emphasising capacity building measures and preconditions for success. In order to assess the strengths and limitations of Y2Y at a regional scale, this research attempted to obtain an understanding of how the Y2Y initiative was perceived by multiple stakeholders in regional conservation, as a basis for interpreting multi-stakeholder involvement and buy-in. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse range of individuals involved (directly and indirectly) in conservation planning, in two communities in the Y2Y region, Canmore and Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. These communities were selected to provide a degree of representation of areas within the Alberta portion of the Y2Y region. Perceptions of successes and obstacles of the initiative were compared with the criteria for effective regional conservation planning. Findings pointed to three recurring themes that influenced the initiative's ability to meet the criteria. These were the need to address both ecological and social components of conservation, the need to include diverse participants, and the need to operate at regional and local scales. These themes are consistent with limitations of traditional conservation and management practices critiqued in the literature, and suggest some substantial obstacles for employing a truly collaborative regional approach to conservation. Reflecting on the findings revealed that the Y2Y initiative was primarily understood as a vision. The Y2Y vision is one that has garnered a great deal of support and momentum, although there is a need to progress beyond the vision to address its potential and apply the ideals it puts forward. Recommendations of this study for Y2Y and similar initiatives included the need to build partnerships with more diverse groups, and the need for the Y2Y vision to be promoted in terms of some tangible, more specific goals. This study identified a need for biophysical, social science, and stakeholder information needs to be assessed and prioritised at the start of an initiative. Additionally, a vision was recognised as an effective rallying point from which to develop a regional conservation planning initiative.
5

Conservation on a Regional Scale: Assessing the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative

McGregor, Tanya January 2003 (has links)
Trends in environmental and resource management point to a more collaborative, integrated and regional approach, discussed in terms of concepts such as ecosystem management and collaborative planning. Such an approach has the potential to address some of the shortfalls previously encountered in environmental management and nature conservation, and has been the focus of considerable discussion in the literature. While a number of efforts are underway, there remains a need to identify how a regional approach can best be undertaken in practice. This research assessed the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y), a recent regional conservation initiative in western North America, which has been the focus of considerable attention in the conservation community. This research assessed the strengths and limitations of the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative in terms of its contribution to regional conservation planning, aiming to gain an understanding of implications for similar regional conservation efforts. Literature relating to regional conservation was examined to derive principles for effective regional conservation planning, as a basis for comparison with Y2Y. Drawing from needs of ecosystem management, collaborative planning, and related concepts, criteria were developed to assess the formative stages of a regional approach, emphasising capacity building measures and preconditions for success. In order to assess the strengths and limitations of Y2Y at a regional scale, this research attempted to obtain an understanding of how the Y2Y initiative was perceived by multiple stakeholders in regional conservation, as a basis for interpreting multi-stakeholder involvement and buy-in. A series of semi-structured interviews were conducted with a diverse range of individuals involved (directly and indirectly) in conservation planning, in two communities in the Y2Y region, Canmore and Crowsnest Pass, Alberta. These communities were selected to provide a degree of representation of areas within the Alberta portion of the Y2Y region. Perceptions of successes and obstacles of the initiative were compared with the criteria for effective regional conservation planning. Findings pointed to three recurring themes that influenced the initiative's ability to meet the criteria. These were the need to address both ecological and social components of conservation, the need to include diverse participants, and the need to operate at regional and local scales. These themes are consistent with limitations of traditional conservation and management practices critiqued in the literature, and suggest some substantial obstacles for employing a truly collaborative regional approach to conservation. Reflecting on the findings revealed that the Y2Y initiative was primarily understood as a vision. The Y2Y vision is one that has garnered a great deal of support and momentum, although there is a need to progress beyond the vision to address its potential and apply the ideals it puts forward. Recommendations of this study for Y2Y and similar initiatives included the need to build partnerships with more diverse groups, and the need for the Y2Y vision to be promoted in terms of some tangible, more specific goals. This study identified a need for biophysical, social science, and stakeholder information needs to be assessed and prioritised at the start of an initiative. Additionally, a vision was recognised as an effective rallying point from which to develop a regional conservation planning initiative.
6

Developing a scenario-based coral reef ecosystem model to assist management following mass coral mortality events

Glen Holmes Unknown Date (has links)
Coral reefs are experiencing increasing levels of stress due to climate change, overfishing, coastal development and nutrient runoff from agriculture to name a few. They are however, economically vital ecosystems in terms of both their income generating capacity and as a source of food for millions of people around the world. This predicament emphasises the need for effective ecosystem management to be able to balance the benefits of coral reefs with the inherent stressors associated with people utilising their resources. It is particularly important given the potential large scale impacts associated with climate change such as mass coral bleaching events. Similarly, much of the need for direct management of coral reefs exists in developing countries where the resources, information, and technology are limited or unavailable for such a task. This places them, in particular, at the high end of management uncertainty and impact vulnerability. Accordingly, there is a pronounced need to improve this capacity to understand coral reef ecosystem function and to use this to better predict the overall systems level outcome of management options. This thesis has sought to improve our understanding of key ecological elements of coral reef ecosystems and to build on this new knowledge to produce a widely applicable ecosystem model that will allow managers to better understand and predict the outcomes of their actions. Coral reef ecosystem behaviour is far from understood in its entirety and there are many facets that require detailed further investigations to be able to more confidently predict ecosystem response to any given disturbance. To enhance the current understanding of coral reef ecosystems prior to the model development, investigations were undertaken into the dynamics of nitrogen on a coral reef following bleaching induced coral mortality. The results showed that the rates of nitrogen fixation on surfaces made available due to a coral mortality event increased dramatically in the three months following coral mortality, potentially acting as a driving force for the ecosystem to pass through a phase shift to algal dominance. Application of these nitrogen dynamics to entire coral reef ecosystems required a methodology for scaling these sub coral colony processes to entire reefs. This scaling issue is particularly pertinent given the improved understanding of the overwhelming significance of micro-scale processes to community dynamics. The surface index (SI) concept, relating the two-dimensional projected area to the three-dimensional area of corals was refined and developed for variations of gross coral morphologies. This allowed for the scaling of nitrogen flux estimates to be made over entire reef systems, enabling the incorporation of these fluxes into an ecosystem scale model. One of the key factors associated with the potential for a coral reef to recover from a mass coral mortality event is the potential for new corals to successfully recruit. The process of coral recovery could potentially be enhanced if recruitment is viable in the immediate aftermath of a mortality event. Although investigations in this area were inconclusive, extensive herbivore action on turf assemblages up to eight months old indicated that recruitment may be inhibited through the high palatability of turf assemblages in this age bracket. Integrating these processes with the many other published dynamics of coral reefs allowed for the development of the dynamic systems model. By constraining the model structure to known relationships between the modelling parameters, the model can be calibrated to replicate the dynamics of any coral reef ecosystem. This allows the model to be applied to systems where limited data and/or resources are available, making it widely implementable in developing countries such as the small island states scattered around the tropics. The model is ideally suited to the adaptive management framework whereby managers can continually assess the potential future outcomes of management interventions. In addition, due to the spatially inexplicit and generic nature of the model, it can be easily adapted and integrated into large scale regional modelling frameworks or combined with other modelling packages such as socio-economic or fisheries models to provide enhanced management packages. The culmination of the targeted research and integration of existing knowledge has allowed for the development of an ecosystem model for coral reefs that can be easily adopted by coral reef managers throughout the world. It is however, by no means a definitive coral reef ecosystem model and there are many facets that can and should continue to be refined to enhance the reliability of the model.
7

Developing a scenario-based coral reef ecosystem model to assist management following mass coral mortality events

Glen Holmes Unknown Date (has links)
Coral reefs are experiencing increasing levels of stress due to climate change, overfishing, coastal development and nutrient runoff from agriculture to name a few. They are however, economically vital ecosystems in terms of both their income generating capacity and as a source of food for millions of people around the world. This predicament emphasises the need for effective ecosystem management to be able to balance the benefits of coral reefs with the inherent stressors associated with people utilising their resources. It is particularly important given the potential large scale impacts associated with climate change such as mass coral bleaching events. Similarly, much of the need for direct management of coral reefs exists in developing countries where the resources, information, and technology are limited or unavailable for such a task. This places them, in particular, at the high end of management uncertainty and impact vulnerability. Accordingly, there is a pronounced need to improve this capacity to understand coral reef ecosystem function and to use this to better predict the overall systems level outcome of management options. This thesis has sought to improve our understanding of key ecological elements of coral reef ecosystems and to build on this new knowledge to produce a widely applicable ecosystem model that will allow managers to better understand and predict the outcomes of their actions. Coral reef ecosystem behaviour is far from understood in its entirety and there are many facets that require detailed further investigations to be able to more confidently predict ecosystem response to any given disturbance. To enhance the current understanding of coral reef ecosystems prior to the model development, investigations were undertaken into the dynamics of nitrogen on a coral reef following bleaching induced coral mortality. The results showed that the rates of nitrogen fixation on surfaces made available due to a coral mortality event increased dramatically in the three months following coral mortality, potentially acting as a driving force for the ecosystem to pass through a phase shift to algal dominance. Application of these nitrogen dynamics to entire coral reef ecosystems required a methodology for scaling these sub coral colony processes to entire reefs. This scaling issue is particularly pertinent given the improved understanding of the overwhelming significance of micro-scale processes to community dynamics. The surface index (SI) concept, relating the two-dimensional projected area to the three-dimensional area of corals was refined and developed for variations of gross coral morphologies. This allowed for the scaling of nitrogen flux estimates to be made over entire reef systems, enabling the incorporation of these fluxes into an ecosystem scale model. One of the key factors associated with the potential for a coral reef to recover from a mass coral mortality event is the potential for new corals to successfully recruit. The process of coral recovery could potentially be enhanced if recruitment is viable in the immediate aftermath of a mortality event. Although investigations in this area were inconclusive, extensive herbivore action on turf assemblages up to eight months old indicated that recruitment may be inhibited through the high palatability of turf assemblages in this age bracket. Integrating these processes with the many other published dynamics of coral reefs allowed for the development of the dynamic systems model. By constraining the model structure to known relationships between the modelling parameters, the model can be calibrated to replicate the dynamics of any coral reef ecosystem. This allows the model to be applied to systems where limited data and/or resources are available, making it widely implementable in developing countries such as the small island states scattered around the tropics. The model is ideally suited to the adaptive management framework whereby managers can continually assess the potential future outcomes of management interventions. In addition, due to the spatially inexplicit and generic nature of the model, it can be easily adapted and integrated into large scale regional modelling frameworks or combined with other modelling packages such as socio-economic or fisheries models to provide enhanced management packages. The culmination of the targeted research and integration of existing knowledge has allowed for the development of an ecosystem model for coral reefs that can be easily adopted by coral reef managers throughout the world. It is however, by no means a definitive coral reef ecosystem model and there are many facets that can and should continue to be refined to enhance the reliability of the model.
8

Developing a scenario-based coral reef ecosystem model to assist management following mass coral mortality events

Glen Holmes Unknown Date (has links)
Coral reefs are experiencing increasing levels of stress due to climate change, overfishing, coastal development and nutrient runoff from agriculture to name a few. They are however, economically vital ecosystems in terms of both their income generating capacity and as a source of food for millions of people around the world. This predicament emphasises the need for effective ecosystem management to be able to balance the benefits of coral reefs with the inherent stressors associated with people utilising their resources. It is particularly important given the potential large scale impacts associated with climate change such as mass coral bleaching events. Similarly, much of the need for direct management of coral reefs exists in developing countries where the resources, information, and technology are limited or unavailable for such a task. This places them, in particular, at the high end of management uncertainty and impact vulnerability. Accordingly, there is a pronounced need to improve this capacity to understand coral reef ecosystem function and to use this to better predict the overall systems level outcome of management options. This thesis has sought to improve our understanding of key ecological elements of coral reef ecosystems and to build on this new knowledge to produce a widely applicable ecosystem model that will allow managers to better understand and predict the outcomes of their actions. Coral reef ecosystem behaviour is far from understood in its entirety and there are many facets that require detailed further investigations to be able to more confidently predict ecosystem response to any given disturbance. To enhance the current understanding of coral reef ecosystems prior to the model development, investigations were undertaken into the dynamics of nitrogen on a coral reef following bleaching induced coral mortality. The results showed that the rates of nitrogen fixation on surfaces made available due to a coral mortality event increased dramatically in the three months following coral mortality, potentially acting as a driving force for the ecosystem to pass through a phase shift to algal dominance. Application of these nitrogen dynamics to entire coral reef ecosystems required a methodology for scaling these sub coral colony processes to entire reefs. This scaling issue is particularly pertinent given the improved understanding of the overwhelming significance of micro-scale processes to community dynamics. The surface index (SI) concept, relating the two-dimensional projected area to the three-dimensional area of corals was refined and developed for variations of gross coral morphologies. This allowed for the scaling of nitrogen flux estimates to be made over entire reef systems, enabling the incorporation of these fluxes into an ecosystem scale model. One of the key factors associated with the potential for a coral reef to recover from a mass coral mortality event is the potential for new corals to successfully recruit. The process of coral recovery could potentially be enhanced if recruitment is viable in the immediate aftermath of a mortality event. Although investigations in this area were inconclusive, extensive herbivore action on turf assemblages up to eight months old indicated that recruitment may be inhibited through the high palatability of turf assemblages in this age bracket. Integrating these processes with the many other published dynamics of coral reefs allowed for the development of the dynamic systems model. By constraining the model structure to known relationships between the modelling parameters, the model can be calibrated to replicate the dynamics of any coral reef ecosystem. This allows the model to be applied to systems where limited data and/or resources are available, making it widely implementable in developing countries such as the small island states scattered around the tropics. The model is ideally suited to the adaptive management framework whereby managers can continually assess the potential future outcomes of management interventions. In addition, due to the spatially inexplicit and generic nature of the model, it can be easily adapted and integrated into large scale regional modelling frameworks or combined with other modelling packages such as socio-economic or fisheries models to provide enhanced management packages. The culmination of the targeted research and integration of existing knowledge has allowed for the development of an ecosystem model for coral reefs that can be easily adopted by coral reef managers throughout the world. It is however, by no means a definitive coral reef ecosystem model and there are many facets that can and should continue to be refined to enhance the reliability of the model.
9

Governance of protected areas : sharing power and decision-making at Pukaskwa National Park and Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area

Walton, Michael 04 October 2016 (has links)
Protected Areas (PAs) are one effective means to address biodiversity loss. Unfortunately, the history of PA establishment includes forced removal of people from lands that become parks and restrictions on access and use of lands and waters by local people. Relationships between PA managers, stakeholders, including local people, remain in many instances, difficult. This challenges the ability to create new PAs in Canada, where consent by local residents and other stakeholders is critical for PA establishment. This research examines governance of PAs as a means to improve relationships between PA authorities and local communities. Determining how much power communities wish to have over decision-making and their preferred methods for sharing power permits greater understanding of how to build relationships with communities, stakeholders and partners that are respectful, trustworthy and sustainable. Pukaskwa National Park and Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area (NMCA) both in Northwestern, Ontario on the North Shore of Lake Superior, were studied along with their relationships to the nearby communities of Marathon and Terrace Bay, respectively. Pukaskwa, has been present on the landscape for over thirty years, while Lake Superior NMCA is in the process of establishment. The proximity of the PAs to each other and the communities to the PAs, along with the evolution of the respective guiding legislations, offered uniquely complex circumstances to investigate. A mixed methods approach to the research was employed involving the analysis of 190 community surveys and oral interviews with members of Town Councils from both communities. Few studies in Canada have examined governance of PAs and no study has examined governance of federally PAs in Northern Ontario. The results indicate that residents of the communities of Marathon and Terrace Bay, support the purposes of the PAs and multiple means of communicating with them about decisions made about the PAs. Clearly favouring the involvement of local people in decision-making about the PAs, respondents also recognized the importance of involving PA staff and scientists in decision-making. Visitors to Pukaskwa were also found to be important to decision-making. The findings further show that community members are resolute that Parks Canada have some control over decision-making. Marathon residents are comfortable with less collaboration and power sharing with Parks Canada than are residents of Terrace Bay. The results are sentinel to achieving approaches to citizen involvement in decision-making about PAs in ways that are meaningful to local residents. Achieving local support for PAs secures an option for governments to use that is critical to addressing biodiversity loss, important for improving human health and maintaining society’s connection to nature. / Graduate
10

Biocultural approaches to environmental management and monitoring: theory and practice from the cultural rainforests of Kitasoo/Xai’xais Territory

DeRoy, Bryant 30 September 2019 (has links)
Biocultural approaches to Environmental Management (EM) and monitoring are an emerging strategy in sustainability planning. Unlike functional ecological approaches to EM, which exclude humans from ecological systems, biocultural EM approaches incorporate humans, communities and their values as integral part of ecological systems, and are grounded in collaborative processes that develop locally relevant management objectives and monitoring practices. Biocultural indicators are a key aspect of biocultural EM, providing links between worldviews, knowledge systems, agencies and institutions at various scales to guide and streamline implementation of management objectives. Although many Indigenous Peoples have been continually practicing biocultural approaches to EM for thousands of years, challenges exist in contemporary EM scenarios where multiple worldviews, political boundaries and knowledge systems collide. Some of the challenges or gaps in contemporary biocultural approaches are based in theory, and others are in practice. In Chapter One I highlight one of these gaps – the lack of guiding criteria to develop biocultural indicators in contemporary biocultural EM and monitoring. To address this gap, I propose a novel suite of six criteria (culturally salient, supportive of place-based relationships, inclusive, sensitive to impacts, perceptible, linked to human well-being) drawn from a case study in Kitasoo/Xai’xais Territory in the area now referred to as the North and Central Coast of British Columbia, Canada. In Chapter Two, I highlight a challenge in practice—the development of spatial models that incorporate a community-led approach. I show how this community-engaged approach benefitted the development and application of a landscape scale suitability model for culturally modified trees, a priority biocultural indicator. In conclusion, this theoretical and practical work identifies opportunities to amend existing Provincial and Federal legislation in order to support biocultural approaches to EM in Canada and shows how biocultural approaches may be applied in other social-ecological systems near and abroad. / Graduate

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