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Understandings of Environmental Quality: Ambiguities and Values Held by Environmental Professionals

Author

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  • R. Bruce Hull

    (College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA)

  • David Richert

    (College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA)

  • Erin Seekamp

    (College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA)

  • David Robertson

    (College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA)

  • Gregory J. Buhyoff

    (College of Natural Resources, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, USA)

Abstract

The terms used to describe and negotiate environmental quality are both ambiguous and value-laden. Stakeholders intimately and actively involved in the management of forested lands were interviewed and found to use ambiguous, tautological, and value-laden definitions of terms such as health, biodiversity, sustainability, and naturalness. This confusing language hinders public participation efforts and produces calls to regulate and remove discretion from environmental professionals. Our data come from in-depth interviews with environmental management professionals and other stakeholders heavily vested in negotiating the fate of forested lands. We contend that environmental science and management will be more effective if its practitioners embrace and make explicit these ambiguous and evaluative qualities rather than ignore and disguise them.

Suggested Citation

  • R. Bruce Hull & David Richert & Erin Seekamp & David Robertson & Gregory J. Buhyoff, 2003. "Understandings of Environmental Quality: Ambiguities and Values Held by Environmental Professionals," Environmental Management, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 0001-0013, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:envman:v:31:y:2003:i:1:d:10.1007_s00267-002-2812-6
    DOI: 10.1007/s00267-002-2812-6
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