The role of perceptions versus instrumented data of environmental change: Responding to changing environments in Alaska

Abstract

Decisions and responses to environmental change are arguably based on whether decision-makers perceive change. We explore the idea of how the difference, or delta, between perceptions of environmental change and instrumented measures of environmental change (P delta I or PΔI) may be a factor in maladaptive versus adaptive responses. Two case-studies in Alaska, U.S.A. are used to assess the statistical correlation between natural resource managers and non-profit interest group (NGO) representatives’ perceptions of environmental change and instrumented measures of environmental change. Environmental change was examined for summer and winter air temperature, stream water temperature, summer rainfall, Chinook salmon abundance and size, and residential land-use development. Results suggest that natural resource managers and NGO respondents do not always perceive change in the environment that is consistent with instrumented measures of change. We discuss the implications of this delta between perceptions and instrumented data because they are important for adaptive policies.