Human Dimensions Research: Its Importance in Natural Resource Management

Abstract

The purpose of human dimensions research is to help managers better understand the latter three of the four domains within the management environment. Perhaps more than all other influences we know of combined, this transformation has caused human dimensions research to rise to the position of importance it now holds in the natural resource management community. In some cases, resource management has been driven principally by components other than the ecology of the system being managed. The importance of information and insights resulting from human dimensions research to natural resources management can be portrayed in different ways. The importance of human dimensions research is evident in all of the preceding discussion about contemporary natural resource management. The process of management has evolved to depend on many types of inputs to decision making, with emphasis placed on scientifically-based information. The importance of human dimensions research will likely intensify in natural resource management in the years ahead.