The importance of human dimensions research in managing harmful algal blooms

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are natural freshwater and marine hazards that impose substantial adverse impacts on the human use of coastal and marine resources. The socioeconomic and health impacts of HABs can be considerable, thereby making a case for “human dimensions” research to support HAB response. Human dimensions research is multidisciplinary, integrating social science, humanities, and other fields with natural science to enhance resource management by addressing human causes, consequences, and responses to coastal environmental problems. Case studies reported here illustrate the importance of human dimensions research. Incorporating such research into the scientific agenda – as well as into management decisions of public agencies concerned with natural resource management, environmental protection, and public health and welfare – requires the development of both strategic guidance and institutional capacity. The recent development of a multi‐agency research strategy for HAB response and a strategic plan for human dimensions research represent two important steps in this direction.

Using models to bridge the gap between land use and algal blooms: An example from the Loweswater catchment, UK

“…While it is important to stress the limitations of the models used and the potential importance of unquantified issues, such as extreme events, this approach provides an accessible way of demonstrating links between land management and water quality in small rural catchments. In this catchment, as elsewhere, understanding the human dimension is key to understanding and managing harmful algal blooms (Bauer et al 2010).…”

Marine harmful algal blooms, human health and wellbeing: challenges and opportunities in the 21st century

“…Within the human communities whose revenue is based on aquaculture and shellfish activities, HABs may have adverse social impacts including damaged reputations, decreased incomes, employment losses, and longer-term changes in seafood consumption patterns (Magnien, 2001). There has been very little study of these other human dimensions, and many social impacts remain mostly conjectural and unexplored (Bauer et al , 2009).…”

Harmful Algal Blooms: Identifying Effective Adaptive Actions Used in Fishery-Dependent Communities in Response to a Protracted Event

“…There is a growing recognition of the importance of economic and social impact assessments of HABs (Jewett et al, 2008;Backer, 2009;Bauer et al, 2010;Berdalet et al, 2015). Efforts thus far have primarily documented aggregated economic losses (Anderson et al, 2000;Hoagland et al, 2002;Jin et al, 2008;Dyson and Huppert, 2010).…”