Analyzing Spatial Variability of Social Preference for the Everglades Restoration in the Face of Climate Change

Authors

Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal SikderFollow

Document Type

Thesis

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

Major/Program

Environmental Studies

First Advisor's Name

Pallab Mozumder

First Advisor's Committee Title

Committee chair

Second Advisor's Name

Michael C. Sukop

Second Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Third Advisor's Name

Mahadev G. Bhat

Third Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Fourth Advisor's Name

Assefa Mekonnen Melesse

Fourth Advisor's Committee Title

Committee Member

Keywords

Everglades, Restoration, Public perception, Climate change, Spatial heterogeneity, Choice experiment, Survey, Ecosystem services

Date of Defense

6-16-2016

Abstract

The South Florida Everglades is a unique ecosystem. Intensive water management in the system has facilitated agricultural, urban, and economic development. The Everglades offers a variety of ecosystem services (ES) to the people living in this region. Nevertheless, the ecosystem is under imminent threat of climate change, which would alter the way water is managed today and ultimately affect the ES offered by the system. On the other hand, substantial restoration is underway that aims to restore the Everglades closer to its historic condition. This research tried to map the public’s preference for Everglades restoration. Using a geocoded discrete-choice survey dataset, the study showed variation in the public’s preference by changing the levels of ES. Additionally, the general public’s attitude toward climate change risk to the Everglades and preference for mitigation were also assessed using the survey data.

Identifier

FIDC000758

Recommended Citation

Sikder, Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal, "Analyzing Spatial Variability of Social Preference for the Everglades Restoration in the Face of Climate Change" (2016). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2565.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/2565