Reducing Human Disturbance to Atlantic Flyway Shorebirds Using Social Science Methods

Human disturbance is a significant threat to shorebirds in North America. Disturbance can result in direct mortality or have long-term impacts on the survival of shorebirds. Land managers employ a variety of management techniques to minimize anthropogenic impacts on shorebirds, but because the Atlantic Flyway is ecologically and recreationally diverse, management can vary among sites. This thesis used social science methods to understand the extent to which human disturbance is managed and how human disturbance is managed. Specifically, we surveyed land managers and biologists in the U.S. and Canada portions of the Atlantic Flyway to examine potential disturbances, types of activities that are restricted, when restrictions occur, the perceived effectiveness of management techniques, public compliance with restrictions, and resource needs of managers. With the findings from this research, agencies and organizations that manage shorebirds can assess where to invest time, effort, and resources to reduce disturbance. We also used a survey of dog walkers to ascertain the benefits and constraints to leashing dogs near shorebirds because dog walking is one of the top-rated potential disturbances to shorebirds. Additionally, we sought to understand the personal and social norms related to dog walking and evaluated if a community-based social marketing (CBSM) approach would be enhanced by the addition of norms. Using a CBSM approach, we provided insights on strategies to promote voluntarily leashing of dogs near shorebirds. Through this thesis, we aimed to bridge the needs of people and the needs of shorebirds, in an effort to produce effective conservation outcomes.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Fisheries and Wildlife Science

Department dc:contributor.department

Fish and Wildlife Conservation

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Comber, Carolyn

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Dayer, Ashley A.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Catlin, Daniel H.
• Stern, Marc J.

• human dimensions
• human disturbance
• norms
• shorebird management
• community-based social marketing
• behavior change

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:29403

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/102749