Social-Ecological Vulnerability in Human Communities Surrounding Large Protected Areas in the Southeast
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 collaborate with stakeholders and communities in the Southern Appalachians and Congaree to refine strategies for addressing these combined vulnerabilities. They will create maps and projections outlining high-risk areas that can be used by conservation managers and policymakers to prioritize management actions benefiting both the environment and human communities.
Project Summary
People living near large, protected areas, such as national parks, face a complex interplay of environmental risks (e.g., flooding and air pollution) and benefits from nature (e.g., recreation and hunting). These rural communities also often experience heightened vulnerability partly due to limited opportunities. As climate and land-use changes intensify, these environmental risks may grow, potentially reducing the benefits from nature that these communities currently enjoy. When designed and targeted appropriately, conservation and natural resource management actions can help alleviate these impacts, but past efforts have not always addressed the needs of human communities.
This project seeks to design better management strategies that address the combined social and ecological vulnerability of human communities living near large, protected areas. It will support a Working Group focused initially on two U.S. Biosphere Regions in the Southeast – the Southern Appalachians and Congaree – while ensuring the approach remains applicable to other communities and regions. Researchers will synthesize existing scientific literature and collaborate with stakeholders to refine definitions of social-ecological vulnerability. They will also produce maps and projections that show how climate change and land-use changes may worsen these vulnerabilities.
This research will equip conservation managers, policymakers, and local communities with actionable tools for decision-making. Maps and vulnerability projections will highlight areas of greatest risk where management actions can have the greatest impact. Through a collaborative approach that incorporates community voices, the project ensures that solutions are relevant and balanced, addressing both environmental needs and community well-being.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 66d8a09ed34eef5af66cae49)
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 collaborate with stakeholders and communities in the Southern Appalachians and Congaree to refine strategies for addressing these combined vulnerabilities. They will create maps and projections outlining high-risk areas that can be used by conservation managers and policymakers to prioritize management actions benefiting both the environment and human communities.
Project Summary
People living near large, protected areas, such as national parks, face a complex interplay of environmental risks (e.g., flooding and air pollution) and benefits from nature (e.g., recreation and hunting). These rural communities also often experience heightened vulnerability partly due to limited opportunities. As climate and land-use changes intensify, these environmental risks may grow, potentially reducing the benefits from nature that these communities currently enjoy. When designed and targeted appropriately, conservation and natural resource management actions can help alleviate these impacts, but past efforts have not always addressed the needs of human communities.
This project seeks to design better management strategies that address the combined social and ecological vulnerability of human communities living near large, protected areas. It will support a Working Group focused initially on two U.S. Biosphere Regions in the Southeast – the Southern Appalachians and Congaree – while ensuring the approach remains applicable to other communities and regions. Researchers will synthesize existing scientific literature and collaborate with stakeholders to refine definitions of social-ecological vulnerability. They will also produce maps and projections that show how climate change and land-use changes may worsen these vulnerabilities.
This research will equip conservation managers, policymakers, and local communities with actionable tools for decision-making. Maps and vulnerability projections will highlight areas of greatest risk where management actions can have the greatest impact. Through a collaborative approach that incorporates community voices, the project ensures that solutions are relevant and balanced, addressing both environmental needs and community well-being.
- Source: USGS Sciencebase (id: 66d8a09ed34eef5af66cae49)