“Mapping Webs of Information, Conversation, and Social Connections: Evaluating the Mechanics of Collaborative Adaptive Management in the Sierra Nevada Forests”
Introduced by Professor Maggi Kelly
Managing social-ecological systems at the landscape scale, such as forests in the Sierra Nevada of California, is challenging to natural resource managers, such as the U.S. Forest Service, due to the uncertainties in natural processes and the complexities in social dynamics. Collaborative adaptive management (CAM) has been recently adopted as a viable strategy to diminish uncertainties in natural processes through iterative policy experimentations and adaptations, as well as to overcome conflicting values and goals among diverse environmental stakeholders through fostering and facilitating collaborations. While many CAM studies have focused on evaluating the management impact on natural systems and processes, few have examined the social processes and dynamics of management itself. To address this knowledge gap, I examined the various facets of CAM, namely information, conversation and social connections, in order to evaluate the effectiveness of CAM. My research case study is the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP), which is comprised of three primary categories of environmental stakeholders: federal and state environmental agencies, the public and environmental advocacy groups, as well as university scientists. I used a mixed-methods research approach (i.e. citation analysis, web analytics, content analysis, self-organizing maps, social network analysis), by leveraging available information technologies and tools, to characterize and analyze the flow of digital information products, the outcomes of facilitated discussions in SNAMP public meetings, and the resilience of the social networks in SNAMP. Some of the interesting findings include: 1) Scientific knowledge products, in the form of peer-reviewed journal publications, contributed to knowledge transfer between scientists and environmental managers; 2) facilitated discussions helped environmental stakeholders to stay engaged on the important administrative and research topics through time; 3) the social networks experienced turbulence but remained resilient due to a committed and consistent core group of environmental stakeholders with balanced representations. As the picture of how information, conversation, and social connections contributed to the success of CAM emerged, recommendations were provided to environmental stakeholders on how to improve in these areas for future implementations of CAM.
My deepest gratitude goes to my advisers, Maggi Kelly and Alastair Iles, who have been guiding and supporting me throughout my graduate career. I am grateful to the members of the SNAMP Public Participation Team–Lynn, Kim R. Susie, Kim I., Anne, and Adriana, from whom I have learned so much. A big shoutout goes to the current and former Kellylab members: You rock! And, there is no way I can make any progress in my study without the tireless support, prayers, and encouragement from my wife, my parents, and my spiritual brothers and sisters in Christ. Lastly, praise and glory to my Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, who has indeed led me all the way!