Climate change, management decisions, and the visitor experience: The role of social science research
Brownlee MT and Leong KM. 2011. Climate change, management decisions, and the visitor experience: The role of social science research. Park Science. 28(2):43–47
Park professionals often use field-based data to inform management decisions, and social scientists have long gathered this information. As park staffs confront the new challenge of climate change, information developed through social science research will enable them to make more effective management decisions. Using six principles identified by the National Research Council and incorporated by the NPS Climate Change Response Program, we outline current and potential social science research contributions to assist park staffs in effective decision making about climate change. As society’s understanding of and responses to climate change evolve, social science will be a crucial tool to assist both young NPS employees and veteran park professionals in effectively making decisions and communicating them in response to climate change in parks.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Brownlee, Matthew; Leong, Kirsten
- Units
- BRD , GLAC , KEFJ , NRSS , OEO
- Keywords
- citizen science, Climate Change, Glacier NP, Human Dimensions, Kenai Fjords NP, Park Management, Social sciences, visitor experiences