Graduate Program
Natural Science
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Semester of Degree Completion
2011
Thesis Director
Charles Pederson
Thesis Committee Member
Barbara Carlsward
Thesis Committee Member
Andrew Methven
Abstract
Lake conservation management plans have exhibited varying levels of success through out Illinois. Recent research, in eutrophic lakes shows that pollution at any level stabilizes when stakeholder cooperation is enhanced by high conformist tendency and social concern. Involving stakeholders in preliminary stages of lake management plans creates more legitimacy and connectedness with the local government as well as stakeholder involvement with management plans. Public opinion data also allows policy makers to sustainably involve stakeholders in management plans. Members of the Illinois Lake Management Association were surveyed on their perceived threats to lakes, preferences on lake facilities and activities. Responses were analyzed by household income, gender, land use and highest degree earned. The survey found that most demographic groups recognize the most important items that have the greatest impact on impaired lakes as reported by the IEP A and EPA but did not show stakeholders recognized the sources or causes of these items.
Recommended Citation
Nannini, Laurie, "Social dimensions of lake ecology: Stakeholder perception surveys used to design effective lake management plans" (2011). Masters Theses. 39.
https://thekeep.eiu.edu/theses/39
