Department or Program

Environmental Studies

Abstract

US National Parks have been viewed as some of the most well maintained and largely untouched ecosystems within nature. However, climate change has posed a tremendous threat to these ecosystems, causing rapid transformation that effect natural landscapes and the way wildlife interacts with the environment. Recently, managers and organizations surrounding National Parks have developed and implemented a plan to combat environmental stressors, known as the RAD framework. RAD stands for Resist, Accept, and Direct, where Park managers can make more informed decisions on either resisting the change, by trying to maintain landscapes in their current or historical ecosystem structures; accepting the change, which involves stepping back and letting transformations take place; or directing the change, by steering transformation towards a specific alternative outcome and allow the landscape and its wildlife to shift to a new but similar state. In my podcast, I explore this system and take a deep dive into why this framework was initiated, what the goals are for this framework, and where the framework is heading. I talk to experts and biologists from National Parks Services and the USGS to better understand this framework, while taking a look at a few Parks as case studies. So sit back, relax, and enjoy learning about some of the management methods that our National Parks have been working on to better the future trajectory of ecological transformation to landscapes and wildlife.

Level of Access

Restricted: Campus/Bates Community Only Access

First Advisor

Carissa Aoki

Date of Graduation

5-2022

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

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Available to Bates community via local IP address or Bates login.

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