The landscape of North American rangeland social science: a systematic map

Authors: BRUNO, JASMINE - Colorado State University; JAMSRANJAV, CHANTSAA - Colorado State University; JABLONSKI, KEVIN - Colorado State University; DOSAMANTES, ELENA - Colorado State University; Wilmer, Hailey; FERNANDEZ-GIMENEZ, MARIA - Colorado State University

Submitted to: Rangeland Ecology and Management
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/10/2019
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Rangeland scientists have conducted a large body of social science, but this literature has never been systematically reviewed. We conducted a systematic review of this work in North America to identify research gaps. TWe developed a systematic map to characterize this literature by 1) the research objectives and questions, 2) who is studied, 3) where research is conducted, 4) which theories, methodologies, and methods are applied, 5) and how these research characteristics have changed from 1970 to 2017. In the 296 papers that met our criteria, we found that most (81%) North American rangeland social science has studied ranchers, farmers, and/or landowners, with limited consideration of other stakeholders. This review highlights the need for more research that 1) is informed by social theory, 2) applies different methods, 3) considers a broader diversity of stakeholders, and 4) draws from multiple disciplinary traditions.

Technical Abstract: Rangeland scientists have made substantial progress in understanding ecological dynamics of rangelands, but the social factors have received less attention in North America. A body of rangeland social science research has developed over the past four decades, with the number of studies increasing each decade. However, these works have not been systematically reviewed to assess the state of rangeland social science in North America and to identify research gaps. We developed a systematic map to characterize this literature by 1) the research objectives and questions, 2) who is studied, 3) where research is conducted, 4) which theories, methodologies, and methods are applied, 5) and how these research characteristics have changed from 1970 to 2017. In the 296 papers that met our criteria, we found that most (81%) North American rangeland social science has studied ranchers, farmers, and/or landowners, with limited consideration of other stakeholders. Although age (43%) and education (40%) are often considered, other demographic attributes and identities, such as gender (28%) and race or ethnicity (18%), are less frequently included in the research. The most commonly used research method is surveys (52%) and much rangeland social science lacks framing by explicit methodological or theoretical approaches. The limited application of theories, explicit methodologies, and a diversity of methods has potentially constrained who and what has been studied. The lack of consideration of gender and race in rangeland social science is echoed in the limited number of studies that have accounted for the effects of social identities and power relationships on people’s connection to and management of rangelands. This review highlights the need for more research that 1) is informed by social theory, 2) applies different methods, 3) considers a broader diversity of stakeholders, and 4) draws from multiple disciplinary traditions.