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  5. Identifying Characteristics of Actionable Science for Drought Planning and Adaptation

Identifying Characteristics of Actionable Science for Drought Planning and Adaptation

A North Central CSC North Central CSC Directed Funding FY2018 Project
Principal Investigator
Adam Wilke

Dates

Start Date
2018-07-11
End Date
2019-11-10
Release Date
2018

Summary

Changing climate conditions can make water management planning and drought preparedness decisions more complicated than ever before. Resource managers can no longer rely solely on historical data and trends to base their actions, and are in need of science that is relevant to their specific needs and can directly inform important planning decisions. Questions remain, however, regarding the most effective and efficient methods for extending scientific knowledge and products into management and decision-making. This study analyzed two unique cases of water management to better understand how science can be translated into resource management actions and decision-making. In particular, this project sought to understand 1) the characteristics [...]

Child Items (3)

Contacts

Principal Investigator :
Adam Wilke
Co-Investigator :
Amanda Cravens
Funding Agency :
North Central CASC
CMS Group :
Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASC) Program

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BeaverDam_GrandTetonNP_MPD.jpg
“Beaver Dam in Grand Teton National Park; Public Domain” 		thumbnail 583.78 KB image/jpeg

Purpose

There is increasing need to provide actionable science for water management planning and ecological drought preparedness. However, questions remain regarding the most effective and efficient methods for extending scientific knowledge and products into management action and decision-making. This study analyzes two unique cases of water management in the context of ecologically available water to understand the translation of scientific knowledge into management. In particular, this study seeks to examine and compare 1) characteristics of the science being assessed and applied and 2) ideal types of scientific knowledge or products that facilitate the translation process towards action, management, and decision-making. Beaver mimicry is an emerging nature-based solution used to restore riparian areas, increase groundwater infiltration, and slow surface water flow that is rapidly being adopted by the natural resource management community. Colorado Dust on Snow is an established research program funded by several agencies and water conservation districts that provides water managers with scientific information regarding how movement of dust influences hydrology and timing of water runoff in critical water sources. Understanding how scientific knowledge translates into action and decision-making in these cases will help build conceptual and theoretical knowledge related to actionable science in the context of drought impacts on ecosystems. Further, incorporating these findings within a broader Intermountain West synthesis effort to determine and assess commonalities and differences among socio-ecological aspects of drought adaptation and planning will assist in generalizing beyond these two specific case examples. This will assist in identifying key social dynamics that influence science utilization for drought management in a given location and context.

Project Extension

parts
typeTechnical Summary
valueThere is increasing need to provide actionable science for water management planning and ecological drought preparedness. Objectives of this study are to determine characteristics that translate science into resource management actions and decision-making. Beaver-related restoration practices, such as beaver mimicry, are emerging as popular nature-based techniques for replenishing groundwater, increasing riparian habitats, and maintaining climate refugia. These restoration techniques have been hypothesized to help mountain stream systems adapt to increased timing and intensity of runoff associated with dust on snow. Qualitative data from ethnographic interviews with resource managers and scientists, along with extensive literature review provides data and information to build a framework for understanding characteristics which effectively facilitate the translation of scientific information into applied decision making. Expected products include guidelines for managers in assessing and applying scientific information to decision processes and theoretical contributions to understanding the roles of salience, credibility, and legitimacy in developing and communicating actionable science. This project contributes to a broader synthesis of Intermountain West drought social science research efforts.
projectStatusCompleted

Budget Extension

annualBudgets
year2018
totalFunds133913.0
parts
typeAward Type
valueCOA
totalFunds133913.0

Beaver Dam in Grand Teton National Park; Public Domain
Beaver Dam in Grand Teton National Park; Public Domain

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  • National and Regional Climate Adaptation Science Centers
  • North Central CASC

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Type Scheme Key
RegistrationUUID NCCWSC 55840113-7484-4a6b-8c27-d6d04c7e1190
StampID NCCWSC NC18-WA1338

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