Mapping social values in Moreton Bay | 

Vicki Martin

Reef Authority: Deep Dive

 May 14, 2023 

 NORTH QUEENSLAND

The Moreton Bay Marine Park, off the coast of Brisbane, is under increasing human-induced pressures that are threatening sustainability and conservation in the Bay. Through a series of workshops, Marine Park stakeholders identified the need to learn more about how the public value different areas in the Park. 

With an initial focus on recreational boaters (a key user group in the Bay), we developed a contemporary public participation in geographic information systems (PPGIS) process to collect data about the places boaters enjoy in the Bay, and why they value these locations. 

Spatially-integrated social science has progressed considerably over the last three decades; however, debates continue about the methods and measures used. In this talk, we will discuss the methods used to develop and test the survey instrument, its usability, cognition, and suitability for planning decisions. We will share initial findings, reflect on lessons learned, and provide suggestions for future research in this field.

Dr Vicki Martin is an environmental, social scientist at The University of Queensland who has worked in interdisciplinary research teams in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S.A., and Chile to engage people in environmental solutions. Her recent work has focused on human values of nature and how information about values can be used to inform marine spatial planning. 

She is particularly interested in embracing innovations in digital technologies to create contemporary, inclusive, translational, and more reliable public participation processes that unify efforts  to sustain ocean health.