Beyond biology: understanding regional, multi-species habitat conservation plans from an ecological, economic, and sociopolitical perspective

Abstract

The following thesis is a politically and socially relevant product of the controversy surrounding the reauthorization of the Endangered Species Act and the highly debated role that regional, multi-species habitat conservation plans will play in the future of endangered species policy. Little research has been performed on the ecological impacts of these plans, and even less on their acceptance by stakeholders involved in the planning process and the degree to which a "creative partnership" between listed species and economic development has truly been achieved. My objective in this research is to determine the actual and perceived costs and benefits of regional, multi-species Habitat Conservation Plans. I have attempted to fulfill this objective through a survey measuring people's attitudes towards regional, multi-species habitat conservation plans in three general areas: ecological, economical, and socio-political costs and benefits of the plans. I have also studied the actual texts of habitat conservation plans and planning documents in order to identify the elements of a conservation plan, which lead to its acceptance among the diverse interests involved in the development process.