Abstract

Ecosystems around the world are experiencing unprecedented anthropogenic impacts, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of how individual decision-making shapes social-ecological systems. In rangeland systems, prescribed fire can reduce woody plant encroachment, restore the resilience of native grasslands, and mitigate fuel load accumulation limiting catastrophic wildfires. Yet, many individuals decide against this land management practice. In order to better understand the cognitive decision-making processes that shape the use of prescribed fire in rangeland ecosystems, we conducted 66 semi-structured interviews with key informants in the Texas and Oklahoma portions of the Southern Great Plains. Results indicate that heuristic processes were frequently used when considering the use of prescribed fire, but that analytical processes were more likely to lead to prescribed fire implementation. These findings suggest the need to reframe prescribed fire communications to the public, rethink prescribed fire regulations, and reshape liability insurance for fire practitioners.

摘要

世界各地的生态系统正在经历前所未有的人为影响，强调需要细致入微地了解个人决策如何塑造社会生态系统。在牧场系统中，规定的火灾可以减少木本植物的侵占，恢复原生草原的恢复力，并减轻燃料负荷积累，限制灾难性的野火。然而，许多人决定反对这种土地管理做法。为了更好地了解影响牧场生态系统中规定火的使用的认知决策过程，我们对南部大平原德克萨斯州和俄克拉荷马州部分的主要知情人进行了 66 次半结构化访谈。结果表明，在考虑使用规定的火时，经常使用启发式过程，但分析过程更有可能导致规定的火灾实施。这些发现表明需要重新制定与公众的规定的消防通信，重新考虑规定的消防法规，并重塑消防从业人员的责任保险。