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Social and Economic Analysis

The Nation’s economic and social development hinges on healthy and productive natural systems. The Fort Collins Science Center (FORT) is a leader in conducting economic and social science in the context of natural resource management decision-making. To conserve our nation’s natural resources and sustain a vibrant economy for present and future generations, FORT economists and social scientists develop and deliver relevant information used by resource managers to maximize and sustain benefits the American public realize from our Nation’s natural resources. FORT social scientists work to streamline institutional and social arrangements that facilitate the successful implementation of management plans and policies. Integrating people, economies, and social systems into natural decisions is inherently interdisciplinary and requires working across economic, social, and natural sciences.  Economists and social scientists at the FORT provide unique capability in USGS by leading projects at the cutting edge of conducting interdisciplinary science in this complex context.   

 The SEA Branch is comprised of four science themes that work collaboratively and independently:

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USGS

About the Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) Branch

The Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) branch is an interdisciplinary group of scientists whose primary functions are to conduct both theoretical and applied social science research, provide technical assistance, and offer training to support the development of skills in natural resource management activities.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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About the Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) Branch

The Social and Economic Analysis (SEA) branch is an interdisciplinary group of scientists whose primary functions are to conduct both theoretical and applied social science research, provide technical assistance, and offer training to support the development of skills in natural resource management activities.
Learn More
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Person hiking on the Continental Divide Scenic Trail in Colorado

Bureau of Land Management Recreational Visitor Data Program Review

The Bureau of Land Management Recreation and Visitor Services Program regularly conducts recreational visitor satisfaction surveys. The USGS Social and Economic Analysis Branch is assessing the visitor survey effort and recommending updates to the current effort.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Bureau of Land Management Recreational Visitor Data Program Review

The Bureau of Land Management Recreation and Visitor Services Program regularly conducts recreational visitor satisfaction surveys. The USGS Social and Economic Analysis Branch is assessing the visitor survey effort and recommending updates to the current effort.
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Screenshot of mapping software that shows the multiple uses of public lands

Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE)

As part of the Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems project, also known as VaMPIRE, USGS scientists are developing a public participatory GIS application that aids in gathering information about visitors’ values for public lands and waters.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems (VaMPIRE)

As part of the Values Mapping for Planning in Regional Ecosystems project, also known as VaMPIRE, USGS scientists are developing a public participatory GIS application that aids in gathering information about visitors’ values for public lands and waters.
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Prescribed burn at St. Marks National Refuge

Joint Fire Science Program Evaluation

The Joint Fire Science Program is a partnership between the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service that connects relevant fire science research with stakeholders. USGS Scientists are supporting the Joint Fire Science Program by assessing the science needs of its stakeholders in order to inform future decision making.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Joint Fire Science Program Evaluation

The Joint Fire Science Program is a partnership between the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Forest Service that connects relevant fire science research with stakeholders. USGS Scientists are supporting the Joint Fire Science Program by assessing the science needs of its stakeholders in order to inform future decision making.
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Elk in open field in Yellowstone National Park

Mapping Chronic Wasting Disease Management: Identify Opportunities for Intervention

This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to model the social-ecological system that encompasses chronic wasting disease management in the United States. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurologically degenerative disease that impacts many cervid species in North America (e.g., elk, moose, mule deer, and white...
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Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Mapping Chronic Wasting Disease Management: Identify Opportunities for Intervention

This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to model the social-ecological system that encompasses chronic wasting disease management in the United States. Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a fatal, neurologically degenerative disease that impacts many cervid species in North America (e.g., elk, moose, mule deer, and white...
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Sagebrush with mountain and clouds in background

Economic Implications of Sagebrush Treatment and Restoration Practices Across the Great Basin and Wyoming

USGS and Colorado State University researchers are conducting analyses and predictions of sagebrush recovery in the Great Basin and Wyoming and assess the role of weather, soils, and reseeding treatments.
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Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Economic Implications of Sagebrush Treatment and Restoration Practices Across the Great Basin and Wyoming

USGS and Colorado State University researchers are conducting analyses and predictions of sagebrush recovery in the Great Basin and Wyoming and assess the role of weather, soils, and reseeding treatments.
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A sunset in western Loveland, Colorado.

Economics and Ecosystem Services

Federal policymakers and land managers are accountable to the public for how they use public resources and for the outcomes of policy and management decisions. Through a variety of economic analyses and custom modeling, SEA economists evaluate how investments and management decisions affect individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Water Resources Mission Area, Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Economics and Ecosystem Services

Federal policymakers and land managers are accountable to the public for how they use public resources and for the outcomes of policy and management decisions. Through a variety of economic analyses and custom modeling, SEA economists evaluate how investments and management decisions affect individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
Learn More
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Close up photo of a bird

Conservation Introductions: Enhancing Decision Support for the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands

This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to systematically explore the issues, viewpoints, and concerns within the Service in relation to conservation introductions. Conservation introduction is the planned, intentional moving of species, populations or genotypes to a location outside a target’s native range.
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Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Conservation Introductions: Enhancing Decision Support for the Pacific Northwest and Pacific Islands

This research effort is an interagency partnership between U.S. Geological Survey and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to systematically explore the issues, viewpoints, and concerns within the Service in relation to conservation introductions. Conservation introduction is the planned, intentional moving of species, populations or genotypes to a location outside a target’s native range.
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Cloudscape in a BLM wilderness study area.

Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) established the Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program in 1997 in order to comply with federal mandates and assist the BLM field in working effectively with other agencies, state, local, and Tribal governments, interest groups, stakeholders, and the public.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution in the Bureau of Land Management

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) established the Collaboration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Program in 1997 in order to comply with federal mandates and assist the BLM field in working effectively with other agencies, state, local, and Tribal governments, interest groups, stakeholders, and the public.
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Colorado River

Designing and Evaluating Decision Support Tools (DSTs)

Effective environmental management requires integrating scientific information into complex decision making processes.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Designing and Evaluating Decision Support Tools (DSTs)

Effective environmental management requires integrating scientific information into complex decision making processes.
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Gallatin National Forest

Human Dimensions of Ecological Drought

Ecological impacts of drought have been rarely considered compared to agricultural or municipal water supply effects.
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Fort Collins Science Center
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Human Dimensions of Ecological Drought

Ecological impacts of drought have been rarely considered compared to agricultural or municipal water supply effects.
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Dense native vegetation along the banks of the Colorado River with tall red rock walls on each side of the river.

Social and Ecological Resilience in Southwestern Colorado

Understanding potential changes in ecological, social, and climate systems can help managers and decision makers take actions to ensure that natural landscapes and human communities remain healthy and are able to provide essential ecosystem services now and in the future.
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Land Management Research Program, Fort Collins Science Center
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Social and Ecological Resilience in Southwestern Colorado

Understanding potential changes in ecological, social, and climate systems can help managers and decision makers take actions to ensure that natural landscapes and human communities remain healthy and are able to provide essential ecosystem services now and in the future.
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