Human reliance on the goods and services provided by ecosystems and the global
decline in the health of many of these ecosystems, necessitates ecosystem valuation for the
purposes of decision-making and conservation policy. The literature suggests that conventionally
employed economic valuation methods have been unsuccessful in capturing the full scope of the
benefits ecosystems provide, particularly those benefits that are considered cultural. This
research explores public perceptions of salt marsh value through the use of focus groups in
marsh-adjacent communities in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia. Results suggest that in
case study communities, outdoor experiences in salt marshes inspire serenity in Massachusetts,
shape shore and “marsh” identities in Virginia, and promote stewardship cultivation in Georgia.
Perceived threats to these benefits, such as the threat of residential development, industrial
pollution, and increasing flood risk, together constitute the context for various community
responses related to marsh protection. Results contribute to existing economic valuations. / Includes bibliography. / Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2017. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:fau.edu/oai:fau.digital.flvc.org:fau_39753 |
| Contributors | Edwards, Vince (author), Polsky, Colin (Thesis advisor), Florida Atlantic University (Degree grantor), Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies |
| Publisher | Florida Atlantic University |
| Source Sets | Florida Atlantic University |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation, Text |
| Format | 138 p., application/pdf |
| Rights | Copyright © is held by the author, with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder., http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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