Geology topics

Andrew W. Don Carlos

Publications and source records attributed to Andrew W. Don Carlos.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

USGS2020

The changing sociocultural context of wildlife conservation

We introduced a multilevel model of value shift to describe the changing social context of wildlife conservation. Our model depicts how cultural-level processes driven by modernization (e.g., increased wealth, education, and urbanization) affect changes in individual-level cognition that prompt a shift from domination to mutualism wildlife values. Domination values promote beliefs that wildlife should be used primarily to benefit humans, whereas mutualism values adopt a view that wildlife are part of one's social network and worthy of care and compassion. Such shifts create emergent effects (e.g., new interest groups) and challenges to wildlife management organizations (e.g., increased conflict) and dramatically alter the sociopolitical context of conservation decisions. Although this model is likely applicable to many modernized countries, we tested it with data from a 2017–2018 nationwide survey (mail and email panel) of 43,949 residents in the United States. We conducted hierarchical linear modeling and correlational analysis to examine relationships. Modernization variables had strong state-level effects on domination and mutualism. Higher levels of education, income, and urbanization were associated with higher percentages of mutualists and lower percentages of traditionalists, who have strong domination values. Values affected attitudes toward wildlife management challenges; for example, states with higher proportions of mutualists were less supportive of lethal control of wolves ( Canis lupus ) and had lower percentages of active hunters, who represent the traditional clientele of state wildlife agencies in the United States. We contend that agencies will need to embrace new strategies to engage and represent a growing segment of the public with mutualism values. Our model merits testing for application in other countries.

Conservation Biology↗

USGS2017

Wildlife value orientation stability among South Dakota residents: Setting the stage for a longitudinal analysis

The concept of wildlife value orientations (WVOs) has been useful for understanding the diversity of public interests in wildlife management and has been shown to be a strong predictor of public attitudes towards a wide range of wildlife management actions and policies. WVOs consist of two predominant value orientations (domination and mutualism) defined by how people view their relationship with wildlife. WVO assessment, which analyzes response patterns on a series of scaled agree/disagree statements representing these two orientations, has led to the identification of four distinct types of people: a) utilitarian (high score on domination and low score on mutualism); (b) mutualist (low score on domination and high score on mutualism); (c) pluralist (high score on both WVO scales); and (d) distanced (low score on both WVO scales). The theoretical framework of WVOs is based on evidence that changing lifestyles arising from modernization contribute to a gradual shift away from domination toward mutualism. This theory suggests a longitudinal process of change that was tested in 2004 by cross-sectional analyses in 19 western states. More recent replications of WVO assessment in South Dakota in 2012 measured relatively similar proportions of WVO types (50% and 49% utilitarian, 15% and 16% mutualist, 29% and 25% pluralist, and 6% and 10% distanced in 2004 and 2012, respectively). Also, we identified similar proportions of WVO types and recreation participation comparing two counties with the largest urban populations (Minnehaha and Pennington) to the remainder of the state. Our results illustrate opportunities for continuing longitudinal analyses of WVO with an additional focus on within state changes.

Proceedings of the South Dakota Academy of Science↗

USGS2012

National wildlife refuge visitor survey 2010/2011: Individual refuge results

The National Wildlife Refuge System (Refuge System), established in 1903 and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), is the leading network of protected lands and waters in the world dedicated to the conservation of fish, wildlife and their habitats. There are 556 national wildlife refuges and 38 wetland management districts nationwide, encompassing more than 150 million acres. The Refuge System attracts more than 45 million visitors annually, including 25 million people per year to observe and photograph wildlife, over 9 million to hunt and fish, and more than 10 million to participate in educational and interpretation programs. Understanding visitors and characterizing their experiences on national wildlife refuges are critical elements of managing these lands and meeting the goals of the Refuge System. The Service collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct a national survey of visitors regarding their experiences on national wildlife refuges. The survey was conducted to better understand visitor needs and experiences and to design programs and facilities that respond to those needs. The survey results will inform Service performance planning, budget, and communications goals. Results will also inform Comprehensive Conservation Plan (CCPs), Visitor Services, and Transportation Planning processes. This data series consists of 53 separate data files. Each file describes the results of the survey for an individual refuge and contains the following information: * Introduction: An overview of the Refuge System and the goals of the national surveying effort. * Methods: The procedures for the national surveying effort, including selecting refuges, developing the survey instrument, contacting visitors, and guidance for interpreting the results. * Refuge Description: A brief description of the refuge location, acreage, purpose, recreational activities, and visitation statistics, including a map (where available) and refuge website link. * Sampling at This Refuge: The sampling periods, locations, and response rate for the refuge. * Selected Survey Results: Key findings for the refuge, including: - Visitor and Trip Characteristics - Visitor Spending in the Local Communities - Visitors Opinions about This Refuge - Visitor Opinions about National Wildlife Refuge System Topics * Conclusion * References * Survey Frequencies (Appendix A): The survey instrument with the frequency results for this refuge. * Visitor Comments (Appendix B): The verbatim responses to the open-ended survey questions for this refuge. Combined results for the 53 participating refuges are available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/ds/685/ as part of USGS Data Series 685.

Data Series↗