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

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.

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