Browsing by Subject "Environmental survey"

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    An Evaluation of Ranch and Farm Operator Attitudes towards Emerging Ecosystem Service Markets in California and Eastern North Carolina
    (2011-04-29) Parkhurst, Ben
    This master’s project adds to the body of research on potential participation in emerging markets for ecosystem services. In particular, it addresses two questions: 1) Are ranch and farm- operators interested in new payments for ecosystem service (PES) programs in California? 2) Are there differences in rancher and farm-operator attitudes between California and North Carolina? To answer these questions, a survey with156 responses was analyzed to examine the similarities and differences in attitudes towards past, current, and future payments for ecosystem service programs in California. The survey examined the potential use of market-based incentives to encourage greater conservation efforts by private landowners. The results of this survey were then compared to the results from a similar survey in North Carolina. The results show that ranch and farm operators are interested in potential payments for ecosystem service programs and that they will be more likely to participate in programs with shorter contract lengths and higher payment levels. Specifically, for every year added to the contracts, $.81/acre should be provided in additional compensation. The conservation organization was the preferred program administrator in California, followed by a private company, a federal agency, and a state agency. In North Carolina, the preferences for contract length and payments were similar, but the preference for program administrator was the exact opposite, with the state agency being the preferred administrator. The best predictors of potential participation in new PES programs in both states were age and total number of programs currently enrolled in. Young ranchers and farmers who are already enrolled in conservation programs are most likely to participate in future programs. These results highlight the importance of understanding the preferences of potential participants before implementing new PES programs. In addition, preferences for PES programs may differ by state, and preferences for administrators may differ depending on local relationships. Lastly, outreach needs to be a significant component of payments for ecosystem service programs so that potential participants know what programs are available and how to enroll in them.
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    Determining local perceptions and challenges for environmental conservation in Utila, Honduras
    (2011-04-29) Daniel, Jessica
    The Bay Islands are a group of small islands off the coast of Honduras, comprised of three larger islands - Roatan, Utila and Guanaja - and several dozen cays. Due to the Islands’ Caribbean feel and inexpensive cost they have become a popular tourist destination for thrifty travelers and are a frequent stop for SCUBA diving enthusiasts. Major threats in the region are the destruction of natural coastal habitats by increasing coastal population and tourism developments and increased sedimentation due to extensive use of watersheds and inland deforestation. In particular, Utila has become known as one of the best diving sites in the world, placing further pressure on the island’s fragile marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Declines in island species such as the endemic iguana Ctenosaura bakeri have been documented, along with damaged coral reefs from various activities, mangrove deforestation, decreasing coral cover and noted fish declines for several fish species. This last fact may be particularly important given the large fishing community that has existed on the island for decades. Despite Utila’s small size, its roughly 8000 residents are a mix of generational Utilians, mainland Hondurans, and Ex-patriates who come from extremely diverse backgrounds, thus often making attempts to engage the community in environmental conservation difficult. In an effort to understand the environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of Utila’s three main populations, an environmental survey was conducted in the summer of 2010. Results from the survey indicate that the majority of islanders recognize and are concerned with the decreasing health of the island’s ecosystems and resources. It was also found that though most individuals were aware of the island’s various environmental regulations, they recognize that the majority of people do not follow them, and that this is particularly true for fishing regulations. This finding and firsthand experiences led to an in depth look at the Honduran Fisheries Law and subsequent regulations related to the law. This paper presents the findings from the survey and also explores the possibility of using a community based environmental management approach to protect the island’s resources and monitor local fishing practices.