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HIDING IN FLOODPLAIN SIGHT: HOW DOES FLOOD RISK INFORMATION AFFECT FLOOD RISK PERCEPTIONS AND MITIGATION BEHAVIORS?
Title
HIDING IN FLOODPLAIN SIGHT: HOW DOES FLOOD RISK INFORMATION AFFECT FLOOD RISK PERCEPTIONS AND MITIGATION BEHAVIORS?.
Creator
Amato, Ryan, Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Florida has 906,465 residential properties facing substantial flood risk, making it imperative to understand how the public may perceive and respond to this risk. Providing people with scientific information may not be enough to impact behavior and decrease losses from flood events. We show participants (n = 20) scientific flood risk graphics and ask behavioral questions to evaluate responses based on the rational actor paradigm (RAP), psychometric paradigm, and cultural theory. We find...
Show moreFlorida has 906,465 residential properties facing substantial flood risk, making it imperative to understand how the public may perceive and respond to this risk. Providing people with scientific information may not be enough to impact behavior and decrease losses from flood events. We show participants (n = 20) scientific flood risk graphics and ask behavioral questions to evaluate responses based on the rational actor paradigm (RAP), psychometric paradigm, and cultural theory. We find results consistent with the RAP in 48% of cases, primarily in low risk scenarios. Participants from high income households are more likely to make rational decisions (80%) than those from low income households (~37%). Feelings of dread potentially help explain 40% of deviations from the RAP, while trust in flood experts helps explain 85% of non-RAP cases. Future flood risk communication should incorporate dread and trust in experts into messaging considerations as rationality alone is insufficient.
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Date Issued
2021
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013765
Subject Headings
Floods, Decision making, Risk perception
Format
Document (PDF)
Valuing the Invaluable: Piquant Georgia Low-Country Marsh Ecosystem Services
Title
Valuing the Invaluable: Piquant Georgia Low-Country Marsh Ecosystem Services.
Creator
Wood, Alyssa A., Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Geosciences
Abstract/Description
Coastal ecosystems, such as the salt marsh of the Georgia coast, have long been valued for decision-making purposes based on market-values of goods and services including: fishery landings, hedonic pricing of waterfront homes, and tourism dollars. These values do not show the full picture of services provided by these ecosystems. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews I investigate socio-cultural values and benefits provided by salt marsh ecosystems in central coastal...
Show moreCoastal ecosystems, such as the salt marsh of the Georgia coast, have long been valued for decision-making purposes based on market-values of goods and services including: fishery landings, hedonic pricing of waterfront homes, and tourism dollars. These values do not show the full picture of services provided by these ecosystems. Using focus group discussions and key informant interviews I investigate socio-cultural values and benefits provided by salt marsh ecosystems in central coastal Georgia. Participants noted that through their experiences in marshes they developed a desire to be stewards. This desire, coupled with the industrial pollution, residential development, and sea-level rise threats in the area result in a need for cooperative conservation and thus better enforcement of existing regulations. This relational value persisted across geographic locations and sample populations. My results show the importance of utilizing diverse members of community to elicit qualitative value statements.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004993
Subject Headings
Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Salt marshes., Ecosystem services., Ecosystem services--Valuation.
Format
Document (PDF)
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: HOW A BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT HELPS TO COMPLETE THE PICTURE
Title
UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE RESILIENCE TO ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: HOW A BROWARD COUNTY COMMUNITY ASSESSMENT HELPS TO COMPLETE THE PICTURE.
Creator
Huston, Bridget, Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Environmental Studies Program, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
Climate patterns over the past century served to amplify the frequency and intensity of environmental hazards, including flooding, wind and heat. While indicators like SoVi and BRIC begin to characterize how people and places fair against hazards, they can be limited in scope. Through the administration of household surveys, I investigate the usefulness of such indicators by examining the roles communication, infrastructure, institutional efforts, financial independence, knowledge, mobility...
Show moreClimate patterns over the past century served to amplify the frequency and intensity of environmental hazards, including flooding, wind and heat. While indicators like SoVi and BRIC begin to characterize how people and places fair against hazards, they can be limited in scope. Through the administration of household surveys, I investigate the usefulness of such indicators by examining the roles communication, infrastructure, institutional efforts, financial independence, knowledge, mobility and social capital play in producing resilience within the Estates of Fort Lauderdale Community in Dania Beach, FL. While results confirm BRIC’s Medium-High Resilience community classification, they push beyond Census data to pinpoint underlying resilience processes. Responses indicate community classification, they push beyond Census data to pinpoint underlying resilience processes. Responses indicate that place attachment and community connectedness encourage weather-related information sharing, limited experiences and skills impede weather preparedness and response actions, and weather preparedness and response experiences are associated with less evacuation than expected. Findings prove to be richer and more policy and program actionable.
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Date Issued
2020
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013474
Subject Headings
Environmental hazards, Climate, Household surveys, Resilience, Hazard mitigation
Format
Document (PDF)
LAWN MANAGEMENT FROM THE MESOSCALE: HOW COMMUNITIES SHAPE RESIDENTIAL LAWN CARE IN BALTIMORE CITY
Title
LAWN MANAGEMENT FROM THE MESOSCALE: HOW COMMUNITIES SHAPE RESIDENTIAL LAWN CARE IN BALTIMORE CITY.
Creator
Meltzer, Hallee, Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Environmental Studies Program
Abstract/Description
Traditional lawn care for suburban American households merits examination from both ecological and social perspectives. Such practices have potentially detrimental consequences on human and natural systems that will continue to grow with urbanization. Consequently, further characterization of the complex, multiscale processes in which lawn management decisions are rooted could enhance methods for encouraging the adoption of alternatives to industrialized lawn care. This study conceptualizes...
Show moreTraditional lawn care for suburban American households merits examination from both ecological and social perspectives. Such practices have potentially detrimental consequences on human and natural systems that will continue to grow with urbanization. Consequently, further characterization of the complex, multiscale processes in which lawn management decisions are rooted could enhance methods for encouraging the adoption of alternatives to industrialized lawn care. This study conceptualizes mesoscale, or neighborhood-level, influences on watering, fertilizing, and mowing practices in Baltimore city, through a modified grounded theory analysis of key informant interviews in Mount Washington, Westfield, and Park Circle. This study finds that mesoscale processes play a significant role in the residential lawn care of these neighborhoods. The applicable processes vary by the community’s social cohesion and tenets. As socioeconomic status and social cohesion increases within the study area, the influence of informal authority in residential lawn care increases. Results demonstrate potential policy implications.
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Date Issued
2019
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013333
Subject Headings
Lawn care industry, Baltimore City (Md ), Neighborhoods, Lawns
Format
Document (PDF)
It’s all just in your head: How does a person’s cultural identity affect their flood risk perceptions and mitigation behaviors?
Title
It’s all just in your head: How does a person’s cultural identity affect their flood risk perceptions and mitigation behaviors?.
Creator
Oglesby, Glen E., Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Department of Geosciences, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Abstract/Description
As flood risk rises in the U.S., technology and insights rise too, but even with these advances we still see the consequences of flood risk. Together, the rational actor paradigm (“RAP”), psychometrics, and cultural theory help to explain risk perceptions and behaviors of 20 respondents. Results from the mixed-methods approach found the RAP insufficient, less accurate than a coin toss (48%), when explaining respondent behaviors. Rather, risk perceptions and behaviors of the RAP explain the...
Show moreAs flood risk rises in the U.S., technology and insights rise too, but even with these advances we still see the consequences of flood risk. Together, the rational actor paradigm (“RAP”), psychometrics, and cultural theory help to explain risk perceptions and behaviors of 20 respondents. Results from the mixed-methods approach found the RAP insufficient, less accurate than a coin toss (48%), when explaining respondent behaviors. Rather, risk perceptions and behaviors of the RAP explain the behaviors of lower risk portrayal groups (66%) and higher income groups (80%), with higher risk portrayals being relying on respondents’ trust in flood experts (45%) and cultural worldviews (55%). Cultural identities explain 65% of respondents’ behaviors across levels of risk portrayal (500-, 100-, and 25-year floodplain), and risk portrayal types (cumulative and AAL). In a world with increased risk, technology, and knowledge, researchers need understand the explanatory power of the RAP, psychometrics, and cultural theory.
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Date Issued
2021
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00013760
Subject Headings
Risk perception, Floods, Cultural identity, Psychometrics
Format
Document (PDF)
Marsh Ecosystem Services, Benefits, and Perceptions of Value: Case Studies in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia
Title
Marsh Ecosystem Services, Benefits, and Perceptions of Value: Case Studies in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia.
Creator
Edwards, Vince, Polsky, Colin, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Environmental Studies
Abstract/Description
Human reliance on the goods and services provided by ecosystems and the global decline in the health of many of these ecosystems, necessitates ecosystem valuation for the purposes of decision-making and conservation policy. The literature suggests that conventionally employed economic valuation methods have been unsuccessful in capturing the full scope of the benefits ecosystems provide, particularly those benefits that are considered cultural. This research explores public perceptions of...
Show moreHuman reliance on the goods and services provided by ecosystems and the global decline in the health of many of these ecosystems, necessitates ecosystem valuation for the purposes of decision-making and conservation policy. The literature suggests that conventionally employed economic valuation methods have been unsuccessful in capturing the full scope of the benefits ecosystems provide, particularly those benefits that are considered cultural. This research explores public perceptions of salt marsh value through the use of focus groups in marsh-adjacent communities in Massachusetts, Virginia, and Georgia. Results suggest that in case study communities, outdoor experiences in salt marshes inspire serenity in Massachusetts, shape shore and “marsh” identities in Virginia, and promote stewardship cultivation in Georgia. Perceived threats to these benefits, such as the threat of residential development, industrial pollution, and increasing flood risk, together constitute the context for various community responses related to marsh protection. Results contribute to existing economic valuations.
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Date Issued
2017
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004999
Subject Headings
Dissertations, Academic -- Florida Atlantic University, Ecosystem services--Case studies., Salt marshes., Ecosystem services--Valuation.
Format
Document (PDF)
Assessing Potential Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Public Health and Vulnerable Populations in Southeast Florida and Providing a Framework to Improve Outcomes
Title
Assessing Potential Impacts of Sea Level Rise on Public Health and Vulnerable Populations in Southeast Florida and Providing a Framework to Improve Outcomes.
Creator
Bloetscher, Frederick, Polsky, Colin, Bolter, Keren P., Mitsova, Diana, Garces, Kristin, King, Roderick, Carballo, Isabel, Hamilton, Karen
Date Issued
2016-03-31
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUIR000110
Format
Citation
Satisfaction, water and fertilizer use in the American residential macrosystem
Title
Satisfaction, water and fertilizer use in the American residential macrosystem.
Creator
Groffman, Peter M, Grove, J Morgan, Polsky, Colin, Bettez, Neil D, Morse, Jennifer L, Cavender-Bares, Jeannine, Hall, Sharon J, Heffernan, James B, Hobbie, Sarah E, Larson, Kelli L, Neill, Christopher, Nelson, Kristen, Ogden, Laura, O’Neil-Dunne, Jarlath, Pataki, Diane, Chowdhury, Rinku Roy, Locke, Dexter H
Date Issued
2016-02-29
PURL
http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FAUIR000179
Format
Citation