Abstract

The Kachemak Bay watershed, located on the Kenai Peninsula in Alaska, encompasses several terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The Kachemak Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (KBNERR) conducts research, monitoring, education, and community engagement that helps inform decision making in the region. This project provides insights for KBNERR regarding current ecosystem services valued in Kachemak Bay using a socio-cultural, place-based, ecosystem services framework. Major ecosystem services and values, community-perceived drivers of ecosystem health, and community relevant indicators were identified to help inform future monitoring and outreach. Methods employed include 31 semi-structured interviews with residents in public and private sectors and three focus groups with KBNERR ’s Community Council.

About this document

This 2019 report describes the findings of a University of Michigan Master's project which provides insights for the reserve regarding current ecosystem services valued in Kachemak Bay using a socio-cultural, place-based, ecosystem services framework.

This Master's project was advised by Dr. Julia Wondolleck. Julia is an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability and a member of the Science Collaborative team.

Report authors: Ellie Flaherty, Kathryn Kirkpatrick, Trey Snow

Learn more

To inquire about collaboration support for your reserve or discuss a Master's project idea, please contact Julia Wondolleck at juliaw@umich.edu or (734) 764-1570.