Resource Management Agencies Research Articles

Human-connected wild lands: How network analysis can inform invasive species management

Wild landscapes are critical strongholds for biodiversity, yet even in the remotest parts of the globe, increasing human use and development are leading to an influx of biodiversity threats including invasive species. Natural resource management agencies, and those that rely on public lands, need a better understanding of the long-distance dispersal pathways in which invasive species are introduced to remote locations. Pathway information is essential for targeting prevention and early detection across vast landscapes, but it is often challenged by information gaps and high surveillance costs. Data-driven approaches centered around a participating public can help resource managers and biosecurity professionals to better prioritize prevention and early detection activities to minimize incipient and secondary invasions. This study employed surveys with resource users to integrate and analyze multiple human-mediated dispersal networks for aquatic invasive species (AIS) across Alaska's part of the North American Boreal Forest. Specifically, it applied network analysis to further inform management priorities that so far were only based on a single pathway and different metrics. Results underline the vulnerability of remote wild freshwater systems to the introduction of AIS and provide a waterbody-specific tool for prioritizing monitoring and inform pathway-specific interventions that were unavailable through past research. The study compares the prioritization of waterbodies under newly derived network topology metrics accounting for multiple generic pathways with the existing single- species and single-pathway prediction model. Advantages of a more comprehensive multi-pathway network topology are discussed in the context of various invasion stages, multiple invasive taxa, and resource constraint conservation management systems.

Bunchgrass Meadows — Among Our Wetlands of Distinction

In the northeast corner of Washington State sit the Selkirk and Kettle mountain ranges. There, woodland caribou, grizzly bear, and gray wolves freely roam 1.5 million acres of spruce and fir forest, talus, and river valleys. Within this geographic area is Bunchgrass Meadows, a 711-acre (288-hectare) wetland complex within the Colville National Forest that stands out as one of the many gems on our public lands and one of the newest “Wetlands of Distinction”. Bunchgrass Meadows is at the headwaters of Harvey Creek and at the crossroads of Kootenai, Colville, Kalispel, Spokane, and Okanogan traditional tribal lands (Figure 1). This relatively high-elevation feature (about 5,084 ft., 1,550 m) is found in the Canadian Rocky Mountain ecoregion near the boundary between Washington and Idaho. Snowmelt and rain confined by the surrounding hillslopes collect and linger on a slow meander to Harvey Creek at the northeastern end, sustaining an exceptionally rich and diverse array of wetland habitats (riverine, lacustrine, slope, and depressional; Figure 2). Multiple natural resource management agencies have compiled documentation on the unique structure and composition of this wetland complex. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) designated Bunchgrass Meadows as a Research Natural Area (RNA) in 2008. The USFS’ regional RNA Committee found Bunchgrass Meadows to be exemplary of terrestrial and wetland ecosystems, including high elevation mountain meadow,

Placing radiocarbon dating at the center of collective archaeological practice

ABSTRACT Radiocarbon analysis is a common tool used to obtain the absolute ages of materials from archaeological contexts. This method underlies the basis of most archaeological chronologies across the globe, allowing us to better understand the temporality of past events. However, in the American Southeast, research by a small number of academic archaeologists who are interested in specific kinds of sites, time periods, and research questions drive radiocarbon dating efforts. This creates an uneven distribution of chronological and temporal frameworks that limits our interpretation of human behavior across time and space. In this report, we argue that if archaeologists want to control for time in the same way that we control for space in our interpretations of the archaeological record, radiocarbon dating must be practiced using a standardized methodology in all realms of archaeological practice – cultural resource management, academia, museums, and government agencies. To do this, archaeologists need to (1) better date individual sites and groups of related sites and (2) build an aggregate data set that more accurately reflects the reality of human behavior across time. We argue that cultural resource management, specifically, can play a key role in helping put radiocarbon analysis at the center of archaeological practice.

Transformation of approaches to mineral resource auditing for augmentation of Russia’s wealth in the current political situation

Background. The mineral resource base is a strategic component of Russia’s economic security and a critical tool for strengthening the country’s position in the international arena. At the same time, economic turmoil and geopolitical tensions negatively affect the quality of resource auditing in the oil and gas and other extractive industries of the Russian Federation. This have an effect on the investment attractiveness of exploration projects, which are highly important for the continuous reproduction of the country’s mineral resource base.Aim and objectives. In order to consider the potential of mineral resource auditing for augmentation of Russia’s wealth, the following objectives were undertaken: 1) to analyze the structure and state of audit methods in Russian extractive industries; 2) to study the prospects and possibilities of applying international experience in auditing Russian extractive industries; 3) to apply new tools and approaches to optimize auditing activities in the domestic practice.Materials and methods. Both domestic and foreign research publications were reviewed, along with the reports of the Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment of the Russian Federation and the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency, analytical materials and audit guides by CAAF, INTOSAI, and AFROSAI-E McKinsey. A set of general scientific and special methods Y were used: forecasting methods to assess the state and prospects of financing geological exploration in the Russian Federation; methods of comparative analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction to study the international experience of auditing in the extractive industry.Results. It is proposed to attract financial resources at various stages of geological exploration through the creation of special-purpose direct investment funds. Attention is also paid to such methods as streaming and acquisition of fixed profit margins from production activities in exchange for an advance payment, which can be applied at later stages of geological exploration.Conclusion. In order to attract investments for geological exploration of subsoil resources, Russian companies should apply new tools and approaches, as well as international best practices. In combination, this will facilitate the process of attracting funds alternative to budgetary resources, thereby diversifying the methods of financial support, and will increase the investment attractiveness of the Russian geological industry.

Funding of geological exploration during transformation of the Russian economic system

Background. The mineral resource base is a strategic component of Russia’s economic security, being a critically important tool for strengthening the country’s position in the international arena. At the same time, economic shocks and geopolitical tensions negatively affect the investment attractiveness of geological exploration projects, which are highly important for the continuous reproduction of the country’s mineral resource base.Aim. Consideration of funding possibilities for geological exploration activities in Russia.Objectives. 1) To analyze the structure and state of geological exploration funding in Russia over the past five years; 2) to study the prospects and possibilities of attracting investments for different geological exploration stages in Russia; 3) to offer new methods and tools for optimizing the funding of geological exploration activities under the conditions of transformation of the Russian economic system.Materials and methods. The research materials included domestic and foreign scientific publications; reports and publications of the Federation Council Committee on Agriculture and Food Policy and Environmental Management of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of the Russian Federation, the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency; the results of the “Geology, Revival of a Legend” initiative; McKinsey and OECD Global Forum on International Investment analytical materials. The materials were analyzed using a set of general and specialized scientific methods. Among them are statistical modeling and forecasting to assess the state and prospects of geological exploration funding in Russia; comparative analysis and synthesis, induction and deduction to study international experience in attracting alternative investments for geological research.Results. Proposals concerning the possibility of attracting additional funding at various stages of geological exploration through the creation of direct investment trust funds are formulated. Attention is also paid to such methods as streaming and acquisition of a fixed interest rate from production in exchange for an advance payment, which can be applied at later stages of exploration.Conclusion. New approaches and best international practices should be used to attract funding for various stages of geological exploration activities in Russia. This will make it possible to attract non-governmental resources, diversify methods of financial support, as well as to increase the investment attractiveness of geological exploration projects.

CreelCat, a Catalog of United States Inland Creel and Angler Survey Data

The United States Inland Creel and Angler Survey Catalog (CreelCat) contains a national compilation of angler and creel survey data collected by natural resource management agencies across the United States (including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico). These surveys are used to help inform the management of recreational fisheries, by collecting information about anglers including what they are catching and harvesting, the amount of effort they expend, their angling preferences, and demographic information. As of May 1, 2023, CreelCat houses over 14,729 surveys from 33 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C., comprising 235 data fields across 8 tables. These tables contain 235,015 records of fish catch and harvest metrics, 27,250 angler preference metrics, 14,729 records of survey characteristics, 13,576 records of effort metrics, and 409 records of angler demographics. Though individual creel surveys are often deployed to meet local science and management objectives, creel data aggregated across jurisdictions has the potential to address larger scale research and management needs.

Potential contributions of the soil seed bank and seed rain for accelerating the restoration of riparian catchments in Australia

The quality and quantity of soil seed bank composition can play a key role in secondary succession restoration efforts such as those involved in this study, which concerned the restoration of damaged native sites in riparian environments in Victoria, Australia. The objective of this study of the restoration work was to determine the role played by naturally existing soil seed bank in the success of natural restoration in these restored and unmanaged riparian areas. In this regard, we sampled the soil seed bank, seed rain, seedlings in the field and vegetation cover from three sub catchments defined by restoration attempts which had been conducted (i) < 3 years, (ii) 4–8 years, and (iii) > 9 years previous to sampling. In addition, (iv) in order to provide comparative data, adjacent sites (iv) chosen for future restoration and (v) with remnant vegetation, were also sampled. From samples, a total of 8858 seedlings were recorded from the seed bank and the vegetation survey showed 170 species, with exotic species being more numerous than native. The seed rain (a total of 1422 seeds) was dominated by exotic species at all sites. When comparing the vegetation distribution and the seed rain composition, it was clear that whilst the seed bank was more promising as a comparative recruitment source of native species, there were still too many sites dominated by exotic species to rely on this as a long-term restoration strategy. However, this study indicated that there were significant variations in restoration potential among the sites, suggesting that some careful prior site selection for investment of restoration efforts is an important issue. As a consequence, we have recommended that a detailed understanding of the soil seed bank and seed rain species composition prior to the restoration is essential, since a positive seed bank composition with a significant relative density of native species seeds, will provide an indication of native species’ resilience and their potential for recovery. We therefore believe that the findings of this study will provide valuable information to natural resource management agencies regarding the strategy for prioritisation of restoration sites, which will be more beneficial than randomly selecting sites for habitat restoration. In addition, with successful sector restoration, it is expected that the increasing usefulness of the seed bank will allow further restoration of adjacent areas with time.

Return Level Estimation in Spatial Extreme Value Modeling of Bali Sea Currents Velocity using The Smith and Brown-Resnick Max-Stable Process Approach

Bali is the world's second most popular tourist destination in 2023. One of the best tourisms is the beauty of its coasts. Even though it is the best tourism destination, it is not uncommon for disasters to occur in the coastal areas of Bali. One important factor in the occurrence of coastal disasters from waters such as tidal flooding and abrasion is ocean currents. Spatial analysis of sea currents velocity was carried out using the Smith and Brown-Resnick Max-Stable Process Approach. The purpose of this study was to determine parameter estimation and comparison of the results of Spatial Extreme Value modeling with the Smith and Brown-Resnick Max-Stable Process approach, and to determine the Return Level of Bali Sea current velocity for the same period after data testing with the best model. The data used is daily data for the period March 2, 2017 to December 30, 2020. Extreme data selection with Block Maxima uses 14 daily blocks, so there are 100 blocks for each water location. The proportion of training and testing data is 80:20. The training data follows the Generalized Extreme Value distribution and has no pattern trend (stationary). The results of the extremal coefficient measurements ranged from 1.18604 to 1.59485 indicating a fairly strong dependency between locations. The best trend surface model is a model that only has longitude coordinates on the location parameter and latitude on the scale parameter. The estimated value of the spatial parameters of the Smith model tends to be greater than that of the Brown-Resnick model. The Root Mean Square Error and Mean Absolute Percentage Error for the Smith model are 0.15503 and 7.75076%. Meanwhile, the Brown-Resnick model is 0.29576 and 14.12131%. Return Level values for the same period after data testing are classified as strong currents and are respectively 1.20586 m/s, 1.63592 m/s, 1.51322 m/s and 2.13233 m/s for Serangan, Gianyar, Nusa Dua, and Nusa Lembongan Waters. Information on estimated Return Levels is expected to be a consideration that can be used by related agencies such as the Coastal and Marine Resources Management Agency (BPSPL) and the Bali Province Regional Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) as a coastal disaster mitigation effort to make it more effective, efficient and on target.

Watercraft decontamination practices to reduce the viability of aquatic invasive species implicated in overland transport

Recreational boating activities enable aquatic invasive species (AIS) dispersal among disconnected lakes, as invertebrates and plants caught on or contained within watercraft and equipment used in invaded waterbodies can survive overland transport. Besides simple preventive measures such as "clean, drain, dry", resource management agencies recommend decontaminating watercraft and equipment using high water pressure, rinsing with hot water, or air-drying to inhibit this mode of secondary spread. There is a lack of studies assessing the efficacy of these methods under realistic conditions and their feasibility for recreational boaters. Hence, we addressed this knowledge gap via experiments on six invertebrate and plant AIS present in Ontario. Washing at high pressures of 900–1200 psi removed the most biological material (90%) from surfaces. Brief (< 10 s) exposure to water at ≥ 60 °C caused nearly 100% mortality among all species tested, except banded mystery snails. Acclimation to temperatures from 15 to 30 °C before hot water exposure had little effect on the minimum temperature required for no survival. Air-drying durations producing complete mortality were ≥ 60 h for zebra mussels and spiny waterfleas, and ≥ 6 days among plants, whereas survival remained high among snails after a week of air-drying. Hot water exposure followed by air-drying was more effective than either method separately against all species tested.

Environmental values and images: an analysis of Facebook images from Ojibwe and state natural resource management agencies

Drawing from research on media sociology and environmental values, the present study compares the visual content shared on Facebook by state and Ojibwe natural resource management agencies in the Great Lakes region. The study examines whether the image content most frequently shared by these agencies suggests similarities or differences in value orientations between agencies and audiences. Results showed that state and Ojibwe agencies differ in their image sharing priorities. Results also indicated that state agencies prioritized sharing images of people, but their audiences liked images of fish and wildlife more than other image content.

Energy georesources and personnel training

Background. The dominant role of energy georesources in the mineral resources sector of Russian economy is considered. Achievements in this sector are determined by the quality of human capital. Successful implementation of the Strategy for the Development of the Mineral Resource Base of Russia until 2035 requires improved personnel training in the higher education system according to new educational programs in the disciplines of Applied Geology and Mining.Aim. Assessment of the current state of the mining and geological industry in Russia, as well as its methodological and technological basis as an objective indicator of the economic and social development of the social system.Materials and methods. Expert evaluation of the activities carried out by the Federal Subsoil Resources Management Agency in the direction of the geological study of energy resources.Results. The conducted analysis of the sustainability of the mineral resources sector in the era of globalization and Russia’s historical experience of creating the uranium industry shows the need to further develop the nuclear energy sector. This process requires modifications in the engineering geological education to revive Russian traditions of training specialists in the field of uranium mining and treatment.Conclusion. The prospects for increasing the mineral resources base of energy carriers and creating conditions for providing the country with energy raw materials should be supported by joint efforts of educational institutions and employers in the system of training geologists.

Understanding Perceptions of Climate Change Scenario Planning in United States Public Land Management Agencies

As climate change increasingly challenges the capacity of traditional decision-making modalities to contend with mounting complexities and uncertainties, natural resource management agencies have increasingly turned to nontraditional modes of planning and decision-making such as ‘futuring. Futuring methods, such as scenarios, have been increasingly utilized around the world. In the US, however, there has been a limited uptake of these tools across public land management and a preference for more traditional forecasting tools. This article explores some possibilities about why this is the case and aims to identify potential pathways forward. Drawing on 28 exploratory interviews with public land managers from the US Forest Service and others, a variety of benefits to scenario use were identified including: (1) mitigation of climate skepticism; (2) more robust capture of uncertainty, complexity, and the potential for surprise posed by climate change; and (3) potential for social learning. Barriers identified included: (1) difficulty in understanding the process, (2) bureaucratic concerns about time, staffing, and funding, and (3) a lack of an agency ‘champion’. However, concerns about the epistemological and institutional fit of nontraditional planning and decision-making tools like scenario processes predominated across the interviews. Interviewees also identified what we call ‘streamlining’ and ‘mainstreaming’ as potential pathways to integrate scenario processes into planning and decision-making.

An Evaluation of the Sustainability of the Urban Water Resources of Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture, China

The availability of water resources is crucial to maintaining the sustainability of urbanization. Calculating the ecological footprint of water (EFW) is one of the ways to realize the protection of water resources in the process of urbanization. The minor settlements in border areas have been the focus of China’s urbanization development but have rarely received research attention. The objective of this study was to develop an improved model of the ecological footprint of water (EFW) to assess the water security status of urban areas in Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture (YKAP), and to demonstrate its authenticity compared with the traditional ecological footprint of water (EFW). The results showed that water pollution is the main reason for the increase in the EFW in each city, and the ecological water carrying capacity (ECW) showed strong fluctuations with the interannual variation in precipitation. Although the overall availability and quality of water resources are within safe limits, there are significant differences among cities, and water pollution poses a direct threat to the health and well-being of urban dwellers in some cities. Therefore, it is recommended that water resource management agencies adjust their water supply strategies based on the data from the EFW model, control wastewater discharge, improve their management systems and take urban economic development into account. This will significantly improve the sustainable management of water resources and ensure the health and well-being of urban residents.

The Regional Diagnosis of Onset and Demise of the Rainy Season over Tropical and Subtropical Australia

Abstract In this paper, we introduce a novel strategy to robustly diagnose the onset and demise of the rainy season using daily observed rainfall over seven specific regions across Australia, as demarcated by the Natural Resource Management (NRM) agency of Australia. The methodology lies in developing an ensemble spread of the diagnosed onset and demise from randomly perturbing the observed daily time series of rainfall at synoptic scales to obtain a measure of the uncertainty of the diagnosis. Our results indicate that the spread of the ensemble in the diagnosis of the onset and demise dates of the rainy season is higher in the subtropical region than the tropical region. Secular change of earlier onset, later demise, longer length, and wetter season are also identified in many of these regions. The influence of the PDO at decadal scale, ENSO and Indian Ocean dipole at interannual scale, and MJO at intraseasonal scale also reveals significant influence on the evolution of the rainy season over these regions in Australia. Most important, the covariability of the onset date with the length of the season and seasonal rainfall anomaly of the season is highlighted as a valuable relationship that can be exploited for real-time monitoring and providing an outlook of the forthcoming rainy season, which could serve some of the NRM regions. Significance Statement We document the rainfall variability during the rainy season over tropical, subtropical, and semiarid regions of Australia and relate them to modes of climate variability spanning from intraseasonal to secular time scales. The study highlights the varied influence of the modes of climate variability on various aspects of the evolution of the rainy season, such as its onset and demise dates and the seasonal rainfall anomaly over these Australian regions. The study uses 114 years of data and shows that the variations in the length of the rainy season and its seasonal rainfall anomaly are strongly dictated by variations of rainy-season onset date. This provides a quick seasonal outlook of the forthcoming rainy season by just monitoring the onset-date evolution in these regions.

Governing the urban water challenges of surakarta

Urban water is one of the most important natural resources to support urban growth. However, conflicting interests from different sectoral needs interfere with its management as the demand for water increases as a result of rapid urbanization. This paper compares the theory and practice of urban water governance, particularly the extent to which the concept of urban water governance can be implemented in Surakarta, Indonesia. The paper also provides lessons for practitioners. This study applies a qualitative single case study method using in-depth interviews with eight key players from eight institutions related to urban water governance. The respondents represent the local Planning Agency, Public Works Agency, Local Water Utility, Environmental Agency, Disaster Mitigation Agency, Housing Agency, the Regional Water Cooperation Body, and the Provincial Water Resources Management Agency. Surakarta is a rapidly growing medium-sized city that faces the challenge of urban clean water provision. The results indicate that although to a certain extent a gap between theory and practice exists, all the interviewed stakeholders have realized and have started initiating collaborations in urban water management. The most important point forward is to establish an effective regular platform for more solid collaboration to attain integrated urban water governance for Surakarta.

An Assessment of American Indian Forestry Research, Information Needs, and Priorities

AbstractNative American and Alaska Native tribes manage millions of acres of land and are leaders in forestry and fire management practices despite inadequate and inequitable funding. Native American tribes are rarely considered as research partners due to historically poor relationships with non-native scientists, tribal mistrust of research, differences between Indigenous values and scientific methods, and low Indigenous representation at research institutions. Understanding tribal research needs is critical to foster successful research partnerships with underserved tribal communities. This study expands on a 2011 tribal research needs assessment with a survey to identify tribal natural resource professionals’ research needs, access to research findings, and interest in participating in research. Information needs identified in our survey includes forest health, water quality, culturally significant species, workforce and tribal youth development, cultural importance of water, and invasive species. Additionally, postfire response and valuation, resilience and long-term forestry, protecting and curating tribal data, and Indigenous burning were more important research needs for tribal members than for nontribal members. This study can inform forestry research planning efforts and establish ­research priorities and collaborations that are aligned with needs identified by tribal natural resource managers.Study Implications: There is a growing desire to broaden forestry research to support tribal forest management. This study shows that tribal research priorities include forest health, water quality, culturally significant species, workforce development/training, tribal youth development, cultural importance of water, and invasive species. Additionally, postfire response and valuation, resilience and long-term forestry, protecting and curating tribal data, and Indigenous burning were ranked of higher importance by tribal members than nontribal members. This study can inform federal research entities, universities, and natural resource management agencies in planning and establishing research priorities that are aligned with the needs identified by tribal resource managers.

Suppression of Invasive Fish in the West: Synthesis and Suggestions for Improvement

AbstractReservoirs are ubiquitous features on the landscape of the western United States. Although reservoirs provide numerous benefits (e.g., irrigation, flood control, hydropower, recreational use), these systems are often a concern from an ecological perspective. Reservoirs support fisheries primarily composed of nonindigenous sport fishes that may become invasive and negatively influence recipient ecosystems. Furthermore, reservoirs alter adjacent riverine habitats, further increasing the threat of invasive fishes to aquatic systems. As such, most western natural resource management agencies focus considerable effort on managing the threat of invasive fish species. Unfortunately, controlling invasive fish is expensive and rarely effective because of a lack of clear objectives, appropriate fishing mortality, and long‐term commitment. In an effort to improve management of invasive fish in the western United States, we reviewed existing literature to identify the steps necessary to effectively suppress these species. Specifically, we provide guidance on defining achievable objectives, assessing feasibility, evaluating success, and improving the efficiency of invasive fish suppression. This iterative approach provides managers with a framework to effectively address the challenge of suppressing invasive fish in the western United States.

Seasonal Propagation Characteristics from Meteorological to Hydrological Drought and Their Dynamics in the Headstreams of the Tarim River Basin

Abstract In the propagation from meteorological to hydrological drought, there are time-lag and step-abrupt effects, quantified in terms of propagation time and threshold, which play an important role in hydrological drought early warning. However, seasonal drought propagation time and threshold and their dynamics as well as the corresponding driving mechanism remain unknown in a changing environment. To this end, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) and standardized runoff index (SRI) were used respectively to characterize meteorological and hydrological droughts and to determine the optimal propagation time. Then, a seasonal drought propagation framework based on Bayesian network was proposed for calculating the drought propagation threshold with SPI. Finally, the seasonal dynamics and preliminary attribution of propagation characteristics were investigated based on the random forest model and correlation analysis. The results show that 1) relatively short propagation time (less than 9 months) and large propagation threshold (from −3.18 to −1.19) can be observed in the Toxkan River basins (subbasin II), especially for spring, showing low drought resistance; 2) drought propagation time shows an extended trend in most seasons, while the drought propagation threshold displays an increasing trend in autumn and winter in the Aksu River basin (subbasins I–II), and the opposite characteristics in the Hotan and Yarkant River basins (subbasins III–V); and 3) the impacts of precipitation, temperature, potential evapotranspiration, and soil moisture on drought propagation dynamics are inconsistent across subbasins and seasons, noting that reservoirs serve as a buffer to regulate the propagation from meteorological to hydrological droughts. The findings of this study can provide scientific guidelines for watershed hydrological drought early warning and risk management. Significance Statement The aim of this study is to better understand how the delayed and step-abrupt effects of propagation from meteorological drought to hydrological drought can be characterized through propagation time and threshold. These response indicators determine the resistance of a catchment to hydrological droughts and meteorological droughts. They can help water resources management agencies to mitigate hydrological droughts by taking measures such as water storage, increasing revenue, and reducing expenditure. The findings of this study can provide scientific guidelines for watershed hydrological drought early warning and risk management.

Uncertainty, anxiety, and optimism: Diverse perspectives of rainbow and steelhead trout fisheries governance in British Columbia

Inland fisheries are complex social-ecological systems that can generate important nutritional, economic, cultural, and recreational benefits. Effective management of these systems for multiple user-groups requires an understanding of the complex natural and human dimensions interactions within them. We examine the perceptions of stakeholders, Indigenous rightsholders, and regulatory/governance groups on the current and future status of Oncorhynchus mykiss (including their resident form – rainbow trout – and their anadromous form – steelhead) populations and fisheries in British Columbia (BC), Canada from 65 qualitative interviews and 1029 quantitative survey responses. Participants generally did not believe resident rainbow trout were threatened at the provincial level but were definitive in assessing anadromous steelhead trout as threatened. Habitat alterations, water temperature extremes, and climate change, were key threats identified for all forms of O. mykiss while bycatch in commercial fisheries and predation pressure from pinnipeds were specifically identified threats for steelhead trout. Anglers did not perceive recreational fishing pressure as a key threat in contrast to regulatory and governance groups. Fisheries managers were praised for stocking programs and managing small lakes fisheries but criticized for not doing enough to protect fish populations, for an unwillingness to challenge or confront commercial and Indigenous interests which infringe on conservation, and for a lack of aquatic monitoring. Three factors identified by participants contribute to fishery mismanagement, inaction, and decision paralysis: (1) insufficient resources (funding, staff, time), (2) confusion in jurisdictional authority between provincial and federal governments, and (3) organizational structure of natural resource management agencies which are not autonomous from competing commercial and industrial objectives and directions. Despite conservation being purported as the highest priority of fisheries managers, economic, social, and political drivers are perceived as increasingly influencing conservation decisions and actions. These findings can inform fisheries management and conservation decisions, policies and practices to ensure that they are more salient, robust, legitimate, and effective.

Political Macroenvironments & Cultural Information Protection: The Challenge of Communication in Native American Environmental and Natural Resource Management

Indigenous environmental and natural resource management agencies face the complex task of communicating science, policy, and practice to a wide array of publics and stakeholders, yet the communication strategies and challenges of this set of professionals have been overlooked in the literature. One theoretical model suggests that public sector employees make communication decisions based on different factors than their private organization counterparts. The current study presents results from a survey of natural resource managers and other environmental professionals working for Native American Nations in the United States. Results show that the political relationships among Native Nations, states, and federal agencies may create a complex political macroenvironment within which communicators must carefully operate. Concerns about protecting cultural information carry significant weight in the communication decision-making process of these organizations and present a key factor influencing communication decision-making. Implications for models of government communication are discussed.