Measuring social-ecological resilience in fire prone systems of northern Colorado
Date
2023
Authors
Cheney, Alyson, author
Jones, Kelly, advisor
Salerno, Jon, committee member
Stevens-Rumann, Camille, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
This thesis fills a gap in temporally and spatially applied knowledge on the perceptions people hold about social-ecological system (SES) resilience. Using a SES framework, we developed a contextualized set of resilience indicators and through stakeholder interviews and surveys we used these indicators to characterize subjective measures of SES resilience in two fire-prone watersheds of northern Colorado. Through stakeholder perceptions, we assessed current and wildfire-driven changes to resilience as well as recommended pre- and post-wildfire management actions and priorities for future systems resilience. Except for watershed processes variability, large scale wildfires did not significantly influence perceived resilience of most ecological indicators. Wildfire events, however, had strong negative influence on perceived resilience of ecosystem service indicators but were perceived to catalyze benefits in social dimensions of resilience. In terms of management actions and future resilience, stakeholders underscored a need for increased pace, scale, and connectivity of fuel treatments with particular interest in prescribed fire. While current stakeholder connectivity was high, continued prioritization of partnerships remains a focus for future resilience. Our findings can be used to improve wildfire management actions for both ecosystems and communities and our resilience indicators can be applied to comparable watershed systems to measure subjective perceptions of SES resilience.