Social Science
Social Science
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New Indicator Framework Emphasizes Importance of Ecological and Social Factors to Rangelands and Pastures
New Indicator Framework Emphasizes Importance of Ecological and Social Factors to Rangelands and Pastures
Featured Project
Understanding the Intersection of Climate Vulnerability and Resource Management in Rural Communities
Understanding the Intersection of Climate Vulnerability and Resource Management in Rural Communities
A number of CASC projects incorporate social science techniques, such as conducting interviews with partners and holding workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing, to address climate adaptation challenges. These techniques help researchers identify resource management needs and understand social factors that drive climate change response efforts. Learn more below.
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Participatory Sciences Guidance and Tools to Support USGS’s Engagement with Decision Makers and the Public
Project Overview Collaboration among scientists, managers, and members of the public is critical for developing effective science products that respond to society’s most pressing challenges. To continue these collaborative efforts, USGS recognizes that participatory sciences can be a powerful tool in engaging diverse groups in the process of collecting and interpreting scientific...
Social Network Analysis of the Environmental Justice and Climate Justice Community Active in Climate Adaptation and Conservation: George Mason University
The purpose of this project is to develop and test a SNA methodology for the national and regional CASCs to identify, map, and measure relationship patterns among organizations engaging in environmental and climate justice work related to climate adaptation and conservation. The planned deliverables of this project are designed to support the CASCs, resource managers, restoration...
Social Network Analysis of the Environmental Justice and Climate Justice Community Active in Climate Adaptation and Conservation: University of Colorado
This research will expand the future impact of CASC research via the potential for increased, targeted work with stakeholders, managers, and rightsholders in the future by identifying thematic areas and key partners with whom the CASCs can work right now, as well as how to sustain those relationships moving forward. Findings from this research will also support USGS, CASC network, and...
Social-Ecological Vulnerability in Human Communities Surrounding Large Protected Areas in the Southeast
Project Overview Rural communities near large, protected areas, such as national parks, face a complex interplay of environmental risks and benefits from nature. As climate and land-use changes intensify, these environmental risks may grow, potentially reducing the benefits from nature that these communities currently enjoy. Researchers supported by this Southeast CASC project will...
Developing Climate Calendars to Inform Invasive Species Management in the Northeast
Controlling the spread and impacts of invasive species is becoming more challenging as climate conditions change. More relevant information is needed to guide timely and localized management actions for these species to preserve cultural resources and ecosystem integrity. Data products are most valuable when they are developed with input from the people who use them for invasive species
Future of Fire Phase II: Learning by Doing with Cultural Fire Practitioners
Despite the pandemic, Future of Fire postdoc Dr. Nina Fontana developed and contributed to a range of projects with cultural fire practitioners from 2021-2023. This funding will provide her an additional year to complete and grow projects started with partners as a Future of Fire fellow. Fontana’s work focuses on two broad areas: (1) improving best practices in teaching and learning...
Assessing the Needs and Adaptation Practices of Smallholding and African American Farmers Facing Extreme Weather Events in Louisiana
Extreme weather events (such as floods, ice storms, tropical cyclones, and tornadoes) are increasing in frequency and causing severe consequences throughout the U.S. and particularly in Louisiana. These natural disasters are especially devastating for farmers, whose livelihoods depend on the environment. Most climate research and extension outreach focus on large-scale farmers and tend...
Building Tribal Capacity to Adapt and Respond to Climate Change in Southern Southeast Alaska
Climate adaptation planning provides a framework for Tribes to exercise sovereignty over wild resources important for the subsistence way of life and economic and cultural activities that are being impacted by climate change. The climate adaptation planning process includes identifying key resources that are currently being impacted by climate change, or that may be impacted in the...
Climate MicroApps: Assessment and Innovation in Climate Decision Support Tools for Land Managers
The quantity and availability of weather- and climate-related data has grown dramatically over the past decade due in part to improvements in computing speed, internet bandwidth and data visualization tools. Ideally, these improvements should help information reach experts in the relevant domain and inform decision making, leading to better weather- and climate-related decision-making...
Co-Creating an Integrated Climate Impact Assessment of First Foods and Medicine in the Little Rocky Mountains for the Aaniiihnen Nakoda Nations
As climate change looms large, the Aaniiihnen and Nakoda people of the Fort Belknap Indian Community are undertaking a climate change impact assessment in the Little Rocky Mountains to better prepare for the future. This mountain range is home to numerous food and medicinal species of cultural importance. It is critical to understand how climate change has affected and will affect...
Co-producing Climate Research and Adaptation through Partnerships with Alaska Native Communities
Climate change is impacting the land and resources that Alaska Native peoples rely on for food security, resource management, and cultural continuity. In Southeast Alaska, communities face increased weather variability due to climate change, which impacts subsistence food resources in streams and coastal ocean waters. Alaska Native communities are asking for co-production models of...
Cycles of Renewal: Returning Good Fire to the Chumash Homelands
Fire has always been a part of life in southern California. Climate change and current fire management practices have led to catastrophic losses and impacts to human health, infrastructure and ecosystems, as seen, for example, in the 2018 Montecito debris flow. Indigenous wisdom instructs that rather than suppressing fire, we should seek to be in good relationship with fire. This project...