Dynamic Risk Perception and Action in Response to Forest Insect Disturbance in North-Central Colorado

这项研究建立在2006-2007年在科罗拉多中北部进行的研究的基础上，该地区的森林被大规模的山地松甲虫（MPB）侵扰所破坏，影响了340多万英亩。虽然环境条件会随着时间的推移而发生变化，但缺乏关于风险认知和风险缓解行动如何随着环境条件的变化而演变的研究。依赖自然资源的社区对环境变化特别敏感，特别是当这种变化增加了灾害脆弱性并对生计和娱乐产生不利影响时。在分析MPB对森林干扰的风险感知和反应时，最初的研究发现社区之间存在显着差异，感知干扰和社区互动水平较高的居民更有可能参与当地行动以应对MPB爆发。目前的研究建立在以前的工作，通过重新访问原来的研究社区，并侧重于当地的反应的时间维度。更具体地说，它探讨了森林风险感知和当地人类的各个方面之间的关系？自然界的相互作用，包括一个？人们的地方感、环境价值观、对干扰强度的看法、处理相关紧急情况的经验以及对负责管理森林资源的主要行为者的满意度。因此，本研究探讨了灾害经验，风险认知和相关的行动，可能塑造未来的脆弱性和适应性的自然资源依赖community.Environmental风险认知和风险相关的行为之间的动态关系构成了一个重要的主题领域，在减少灾害风险和脆弱性的环境/气候变化的研究。尽管风险事件具有内在的动态性质，但在现有的风险分析中，风险感知的时间维度一直未得到充分研究。自然资源为基础的社区提供了一个关键的背景下分析动态的风险认知和决策，在不断变化的社会生态系统。响应需要更多的纵向研究的风险研究，本研究探讨了动态的风险认知和行动，以应对森林干扰山松甲虫（MPB）在中北部科罗拉多。根据2006-2007年收集的关于当地对MPB爆发的反应的数据进行的实证研究被复制并扩展到9个原始研究社区（布雷肯里奇、狄龙、弗里斯科、格朗比、克雷姆林、西尔弗索恩、汽船泉、韦尔和瓦尔登）。本研究采用混合方法设计，结合次级社会经济和生物物理数据，媒体分析，关键知情人访谈和邮件调查。本研究的主要目的为：（1）以经验为基础的方法，探讨人与自然关系的动态经验在风险认知中的作用;（2）评估时间变化（3）分析影响森林风险感知变化的关键因素;（4）探讨在应对MPB爆发时，风险感知与行动之间的动态关系。研究结果有助于提高当地公众对MPB爆发的认识以及社区成员参与科学和森林管理。该项目的高潮是一个参与性进程，利用社区论坛阐述社区在森林昆虫干扰方面的经验教训。

This study builds upon research conducted in 2006-2007 in north-central Colorado, a region in which the forests have been devastated by a massive mountain pine beetle (MPB) infestation that has affected more than 3.4 million acres. While it is well established the environmental conditions change over time, research that examines how risk perceptions and risk mitigating actions may evolve in relation to changing environmental conditions is lacking. Communities dependent on natural resources are especially sensitive to environmental changes, particularly when such changes increase hazard vulnerability and adversely affect livelihoods and recreation. In analyzing risk perception and response to forest disturbance by MPB, the original study found notable variation across communities, and that residents with higher levels of perceived disturbance and community interaction were more likely to participate in local actions in response to the MPB outbreak. The current study builds on the previous work by revisiting the original study communities and focusing on the temporal dimension of local responses. More specifically, it examines the relationships between forest risk perception and various aspects of local human?nature interactions including one?s sense of place, environmental values, perceptions of disturbance intensity, experience with relevant emergencies, and satisfaction with key actors tasked with managing forest resources. As such, this study explores the dynamic relationships between hazard experience, risk perception, and related actions that may shape future vulnerabilities and adaptations of natural resource-dependent communities.Environmental risk perception and risk-related behavior constitute an important topical area in both disaster risk reduction and vulnerability to environmental/climate change studies. Despite the inherent dynamic nature of risk events, the temporal dimension of risk perception has been understudied in existing risk analysis. Natural resource-based communities provide a key backdrop for analyzing dynamic risk perceptions and decisions in changing social-ecological systems. Responding to the need for more longitudinal studies in risk research, this study examines the dynamic risk perception and action in response to forest disturbance by mountain pine beetles (MPB) in north-central Colorado. Empirical research based on data collected in 2006-2007 on local responses to the MPB outbreak is replicated and expanded for nine original study communities (Breckenridge, Dillon, Frisco, Granby, Kremmling, Silverthorne, Steamboat Springs, Vail, and Walden). The study adopts a mixed methods design combining secondary socioeconomic and biophysical data, media analysis, key informant interviews, and mail surveys. Four main research objectives guide this project: (1) to conceptualize the role of dynamic human-nature relationship experience in framing risk perception over time using an experience-based approach; (2) to assess temporal changes (and their spatial variations) in hazard experience, risk perception, and beetle-related activeness of local residents; (3) to analyze key factors influencing changes in perceived forest risks; and (4) to explore the dynamic relationship between risk perception and action in response to the MPB outbreak. Research findings can contribute to increased local public awareness of the MPB outbreak and community members' engagement with science and forest management. The project culminates with a participatory process using community forums to articulate lessons learned from community experience with forest insect disturbance over time.