Dissertation Abstract

This study addresses the current status of U.S. water resources management adaptation at the river basin scale. Four basins, the Colorado, Platte, and Delaware Rivers, as well as the Everglades, were examined in order to gain a diverse national perspective. The research program utilized qualitative methods, including observation, interviews, and questionnaires, to survey diverse basin stakeholder-decision makers. Fifty-four water stakeholders in the case basins were interviewed concerning their perceptions and actions concerning the effects of climate variability and change in their basin. The research objective was to compare the cases in an adaptation assessment. Water decision makers in the U.S. make basin resource decision based upon a local physical and socio-cultural environment. Therefore, while climate change is a global hazard, the characteristic local responses of the unique study basins will not translate easily to other places. Study findings indicate that broader temporal and conceptual frames are needed for water managers to better perceive, understand and react to the complex challenges inherent in a changing climate and other sources of environmental change. The most employed adaptation method currently cited is a paradigm shift from command-and-control of basin resources to an adaptable, flexible no regrets strategy effective as a response to a wide array of potential effects from global environmental change.