Integrative Complexity of Coastal Resources Management
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INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY OF COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: EXAMINING TRADEOFFS BETWEEN ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION AND RESOURCE USE By Mary E. Allen August 2018 Director of Dissertation: Dr. David K. Loomis Major Department: Coastal Resources Management ABSTRACT: The management dilemma of use versus protection is a complex issue, and like most complex issues, it does not lend itself to a simple or simplistic solution. This dissertation research examined the connection between integrative complexity, value orientations, and attitudes toward coastal resource use and protection. These are important topics within the human dimensions of coastal resources management that can help us understand the cognitive processes people use when thinking about acceptable tradeoffs regarding the biophysical environment and use of that environment. Integrative complexity is a concept that indicates the simplicity versus complexity of a person’s thinking process. A person who perceives nuance and subtle differences typically scores higher on an integrative complexity measure, whereas those who view the world as black and white score low on integrative complexity. The limited research into the linkages between integrative complexity and components of the cognitive hierarchy, as applied to coastal resource management, inspired this research. Florida-licensed recreational saltwater anglers were sent an online questionnaire. Of the three quantitative integrative complexity measures that were developed, the self-classification vignettes best segmented the anglers into low to high levels of integrative complexity. These integrative complexity levels were used in hypothesis testing. Based on the literature, it was hypothesized that higher integrative complexity thinkers would hold pluralistic value orientations, moderate attitude extremity, and higher acceptability of tradeoffs between use and protection. While much of the results showed mixed support for the alternative hypotheses, there were consistent patterns in the direction of value orientations, attitudes and acceptability of tradeoffs across integrative complexity levels. Overall, high integrative complexity anglers demonstrated ecocentric value orientations, more support for protection-oriented management actions, and higher acceptability for tradeoffs involving an increase in resource protection. Low integrative complexity anglers demonstrated relatively more anthropocentric value orientations, more support for use-oriented management actions, and higher acceptability for tradeoffs involving an increase in resource use. INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY OF COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: EXAMINING TRADEOFFS BETWEEN ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION AND RESOURCE USE A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of the Coastal Resources Management Program East Carolina University In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Doctor of Philosophy In Coastal Resources Management By Mary E. Allen August 2018 © Mary E. Allen, 2018 INTEGRATIVE COMPLEXITY OF COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT: EXAMINING TRADEOFFS BETWEEN ECOSYSTEM PROTECTION AND RESOURCE USE By Mary E. Allen APPROVED BY: DIRECTOR OF DISSERTATION:______________________________________________________________________ David K. Loomis, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER: _______________________________________________________________ Jennifer L. Bowler, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER: _______________________________________________________________ David G. Kimmel, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER: _______________________________________________________________ Cliff G. McCreedy COMMITTEE MEMBER: _______________________________________________________________ Kevin O’Brien, Ph.D. COMMITTEE MEMBER: _______________________________________________________________ Paige P. Viren, Ph.D. DIRECTOR OF COASTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT PROGRAM: _____________________________________________________________________________________ Siddhartha Mitra, Ph.D. DEAN OF THE GRADUATE SCHOOL: ___________________________________________________ Paul J. Gemperline, Ph.D. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Many individuals were involved throughout my doctoral research and are deserving of credit. I would like to express my deepest appreciation and gratitude to my committee chairman and Ph.D. advisor, Dr. David Loomis, for his patient guidance, mentorship, friendship, and genuine good nature. Dave was a constant source of encouragement and support during my graduate study at East Carolina University, and I am sincerely grateful for everything he has done for me. His commitment, dedication and daily guidance have made possible my development and growth as a student, researcher, and individual. I am truly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with him. I would like to thank my committee members for the friendly guidance, thought-provoking suggestions, professional insight, and general collegiality that each of them offered to me over the years. Dr. Paige Viren provided me with various opportunities to enhance my research experience and grow in my professional career, as well as friendship and advice on life. Dr. Kevin O’Brien provided invaluable advice and spent countless hours with me talking about statistics and experimental design. I had the pleasure of working with Cliff McCreedy on National Park Service projects and learning about “real- world” coastal management issues. Dr. David Kimmel offered expertise in coastal-marine ecology, provided moral support and a sense of humor. Dr. Jennifer Bowler was my social psychology professor and introduced me to a range of theories and literature. I would also like to thank East Carolina University for the support and funding that was provided to me during my time in Greenville, especially Dr. Hans Vogelsong, Dr. Sid Mitra, and Dr. David Griffith. In addition, I would be remiss if I did not thank the exceptional staff of the Institute for Coastal Science and Policy, Kay Evans, Cindy Harper, and Shelia Ellis. I am also indebted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida recreational saltwater anglers who participated in this study. Finally, nobody has been more important to me in the pursuit of this endeavor than my family and friends. I am grateful for their endless love, patience, tolerance, and understanding throughout the course of my doctoral studies. Thank you to my parents, Tom and Julie Allen, and my brothers, Carter and William, whose love and guidance are forever with me in whatever I may pursue. I wish to express a special thank you to Ari, Casey Nolan and family, my fellow colleagues, friends and North Carolina family—Alyson Flynn (Lewis), Michael Flynn, Richard and Suzanne Lewis, Cale Galloway, and Jennifer Jones—lots of love to you all. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................................ iv LIST OF TABLES......................................................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................................................xiii 1. INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 Coastal Resources Management Dilemma ............................................................................................ 2 Ecosystem Services ................................................................................................................................ 8 Valuation of Ecosystem Services ................................................................................................. 10 Tradeoffs ...................................................................................................................................... 13 DPSER Framework ...................................................................................................................... 16 Moving Forward .................................................................................................................................. 19 Communication with the Public ................................................................................................... 19 Understanding How People Think ............................................................................................... 20 Purpose of Research ............................................................................................................................. 23 2. LITERATURE REVIEW ........................................................................................................................ 25 Cognitive Style and Complexity .......................................................................................................... 25 Cognitive Sophistication .............................................................................................................. 27 Conceptual Complexity................................................................................................................ 28 Integrative Complexity ........................................................................................................................ 30 Ideology and Reasoning ............................................................................................................... 34 Coping with Change and Stress ................................................................................................... 37 Natural