In this book several leading scientists representing a variety of key social sciences describe their discipline and provide guidance for applying the knowledge and methods of that science. As contributors to this book, these scientists were asked to describe the subject matter of their discipline and the kinds of questions they typically address in their research. They provide lists of selected references for the reader wanting more information than can be provided in their short book chapter.
A wide variety of theories, concepts, measures, data collection methods, and spatial analysis approaches resides within each of the social science disciplines the authors cover. These include, for example, sociology, cultural anthropology, resource economics and social psychology. The theories, concepts and methods of these disciplines can be quite informative about the human context within which ecosystem management is undertaken and about the human dimension of the ecosystems of concern.
Included in this section of this book are:
Application of the Social Sciences
Especially important to moving human dimensions and ecosystem management forward is demonstrating how the concepts and data from the different social sciences can be applied, interpreted and linked spatially with data representing the biological and physical dimensions of ecosystems. Achieving an understanding of linkages and spatial relationships, not only among social variables, but also with biophysical variables, adds another level of understanding in ecoregional assessments, forest planning and other resource assessment processes. We asked a number of scientists and assessment specialists across the country to contribute chapters for this book sharing the experiences they have had in applying social sciences and social data analysis in assessments at different scales. These specialists were asked to describe the application and the players involved in the assessment project they describe. They were further asked to identify barriers faced in seeking to inject social knowledge into these assessments and to suggest measures that might improve the role of social sciences in future assessment efforts.
These chapters include:
This 346 page book is now available from Sagamore Publishing in Champaign, Illinois, listed under Outdoor Recreation.
* Integrating Biophysical and Social Science Knowledge in Developing Countries: Social Ecology and its Potential Contributions to Ecosystem Management in the United States
* Contributions of Sociology to Ecosystem Management
* History and Application of the Ecosystem Concept in Anthropology
* Using Cultural Resources to Enhance Ecosystem Management
* Environmental Psychology: Mapping Landscape Meanings for Ecosystem Management
* From Pedagogy to Ecogogy: Integrating Adult Learning, Education and Ecosystem Management
* Economic Dimensions of Ecosystem Management
* Applications of Political Science in Ecosystem Management
* Contributions of Marketing to Ecosystem Management
* Tools for Exploring New Approaches in Human Ecosystem and Landscape Research: Geographic Information Systems, Remote Sensing and Computer Modeling.
* The Social Component of the Forest Ecosystem Management Assessment--FEMAT
* The Social Dimension of Watershed Management
* Social Sciences and Ecosystems: An Overview of the Role of Social Sciences in the Interior Columbia Basin Ecosystem Management Project
* Social Scientists Had a Place at the Table: The Southern Appalachian Ecoregional Assessment.