Masters Thesis

Humboldt Bay Initiative: a case study of the applicability of Ecosystem-Based Management for collaborative resource

This research explores the collaborative potential of Ecosystem-Based Management through a case study of the Humboldt Bay Initiative. Understanding the collaborative elements of an Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) process is important in light of the international, national and regional adoption of a more holistic perspective in natural resource management. This research also stems from a need to identify evaluative methods that will help determine the usefulness of EBM in collaborative community-based initiatives. This research employed a qualitative analysis with participants of the Humboldt Bay Initiative, an EBM program located in northern California. Participants of the Humboldt Bay Initiative identify process barriers to the group's success, such as low process transparency and a need for greater organizational development. Participants also celebrate the group's successes, such as a desire for close partnership with the larger Humboldt community and a group vision for a healthy and sustainable Humboldt ecosystem. This research concludes by offering the Humboldt Bay Initiative process strategies that will aid the group's progress from planning to implementation by incorporating process building elements like community capacity and re-engaging with strategic planning. Additionally, this research identifies gaps in the conceptual understanding of the collaborative elements of EBM and offers theoretical concepts to support the holistic perspective of EBM as a natural resource management strategy.

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