Document Type
Thesis
Degree
Master of Science (MS)
Major/Program
Environmental Studies
First Advisor's Name
Elizabeth Anderson
First Advisor's Committee Title
Committee chair
Second Advisor's Name
Mahadev Bhat
Second Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Third Advisor's Name
Jeremy Kiszka
Third Advisor's Committee Title
Committee member
Keywords
Florida manatee, human-wildlife interactions, attitudes, survey, conservation
Date of Defense
3-30-2023
Abstract
Using a mixed methods, social-ecological approach, this study aims to construct a modern history of the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) in urban, coastal areas of Miami, as well as assess people’s perceptions and knowledge of the manatees they share spaces with. Existing data shows that manatee population numbers are on the rise, proportionally resulting in increased mortality counts. Expert interviewees suggest that, most significantly, manatees face the threat of habitat loss, and concerns were relayed regarding the species’ persistence in hindsight of events such as the 2017 ESA downlisting and the 2021 unusual mortality event. Residents of Miami-Dade County were also surveyed and most carried positive attitudes toward manatees and showed support for conservation policies. Results implicate that increased manatee knowledge may influence willingness to pay in relation to pro-manatee behaviors. Further research should explore nutrient pollution and attitude behaviors relations regarding manatees.
Identifier
FIDC011065
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Otalora, Andrea, "Manatees in Miami-Dade: Examining Their Presence and Persistence Through the Lens of Human-Wildlife Interactions" (2023). FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 5267.
https://digitalcommons.fiu.edu/etd/5267
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