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Restoring Landscapes in the Context of Environmental Change – A Mental Models Analysis

Hutchins, Emily G
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1431008926

Abstract Details

2015, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Environment and Natural Resources.
The Forest Service’s $40-million dollar Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) provides grants to National Forests seeking to improve forest resiliency, maintain ecosystem services, and reduce wildfire risks while providing local economic benefits. Several previous studies have examined ecological aspects of forest restoration such as historic conditions and the effectiveness of treatment methods; however, limited research has considered how restoration is conceptualized by those involved in making restoration decisions. These conceptualizations can have meaningful implications for the development of restoration goals, the level of agreement or conflict among participants, and how restoration activities are carried out on the ground. Of particular interest given the broad focus of the CFLRP are the degree to which restoration activities are based on current scientific literature and how participants weigh the relative importance of social, economic and ecological factors when creating restoration goals and deciding on an implementation approach. The studies presented here were designed to help address this knowledge gap by using a mental model approach to identify and compare participant conceptualizations of forest restoration. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a total of 25 participants at three ecologically distinct CFLRP sites. Sampling was conducted from a consistent set of USDA Forest Service employees involved in the CFLRP at each site as well as representatives from key, non-Forest Service members of the collaborative groups in each location. In Chapter 2, the research team developed a technical model of forest restoration based on an extensive review of the literature and a peer review by content experts. Participant responses were coded and then compared to the technical model. Our research design enables comparison of responses to best practices as described in the scientific literature, as well as assess the similarities and differences in conceptualizations between sites. In Chapter 3 we focus on the interplay of collaborative structures and restoration outcomes via a thematic analysis of collaboration-related comments. This approach allows us to better examine the advantages and limitations of pursuing ecological restoration through a collaborative group. Results indicate that restoration efforts were generally aligned with the relevant literature and that there was substantial overlap in the conceptualization of ecological restoration between sites. These areas of overlap occurred primarily on technical and ecological topics such as the process of restoration, current and historic conditions, and ecological goals. However, we also found that there was a more limited focus on important social topics related to restoration, such as public involvement and social and economic goals, as well as substantial variation between individual values on topics such as agreeing on the appropriate balance between social and ecological goals. In addition, there was evidence that CFLRP partnerships have primarily focused on areas of high agreement among their stakeholders to date and have not yet addressed some areas of conflict identified by participants as future challenges. Our results highlight the diversity of collaborative efforts nationwide and also explore the strengths and potential limitations of such efforts. We conclude by discussing implications for collaborative restoration efforts and recommending ways CFLRP partnerships may be strengthened.
Eric Toman (Advisor)
Robyn Wilson (Committee Member)
Roger Williams (Committee Member)
145 p.
Environmental Science
Forest restoration; collaboration; collaborative restoration; Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program; CFLRP; mental models

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hutchins, E. G. (2015). Restoring Landscapes in the Context of Environmental Change – A Mental Models Analysis [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1431008926

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hutchins, Emily. Restoring Landscapes in the Context of Environmental Change – A Mental Models Analysis. 2015. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1431008926.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hutchins, Emily. "Restoring Landscapes in the Context of Environmental Change – A Mental Models Analysis." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2015. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1431008926

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1431008926
387
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This open access ETD is published by The Ohio State University and OhioLINK.