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Contributions of Participatory Modeling to Development and Support of Coastal and Marine Management Plans
Citation:
TENBRINK, M. Contributions of Participatory Modeling to Development and Support of Coastal and Marine Management Plans. Presented at Resilience 2011: Resilience, Innovation, and Sustainability: Navigating the Complexities of Global Change. Second International Science and Policy Conference, Tempe, AZ, March 11 - 16, 2011.
Impact/Purpose:
This research develops strategies and tools to assist resource managers and communities in use of technical information needed to inform coastal and marine management and spatial planning.
Description:
The role of participatory modeling- at various scales- to assist in developing shared visions, understanding the decision landscape, identifying and selecting management options, and monitoring outcomes will be explored in the context of coastal and marine planning, ecosystem service trade offs, and potential climate change pressures. The US National Ocean Policy (NOP, 2010) lays out a vision and goals to move towards balanced use and regional governance of our critically important and heavily utilized coastal regions, and sets requirements to develop regional coastal and marine spatial plans (CMSP). Implementation of the actions and recommendations associated with the NOP will require creation of new collaborations, increased compliance with protective regulations, alignment of community priorities, and innovative new approaches. Decisions that affect the use of coastal and marine resources, well-being of communities, and ecosystem health must consider complex systems and often competing interests. The capacity for stewardship is enlarged by increasing the levels of public participation in governance decisions, i.e., by not only informing and consulting stakeholders, but by engagement that is characterized by involvement, collaboration, and empowerment.