Springs ecosystem management: A qualitative analysis of policy implementation within the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona

Springs ecosystems are highly valuable resources in arid regions. They offer a wide array of ecological services to arid regions such as providing critical habitat for endemic and endangered species, supporting habitat for both aquatic and terrestrial species, and serving as indicators of groundwater quality and quantity (Shepard 1993; Sada et al. 2001; Stevens and Merestsky 2008). Springs ecosystems are also found to be among the most widely degraded ecosystems in arid regions (Shepard 1993; Grand Canyon Wildlands Council 2002; Kodric-Brown and Brown 2007; Stevens and Meretsky 2008). Anthropogenic impacts have altered the ecological integrity of numerous springs, sometimes to the point of complete degradation. An underlying problem facing springs is the lack of effective and comprehensive management practices mainly due to an overall lack of recognition of the important characteristics that springs provide the greater ecological landscape. This thesis focuses on springs ecosystem management by first demonstrating the need for springs management by presenting the science of springs in arid regions, and secondly, presenting a study on springs management within the U.S. Forest Service in Arizona, USA.;This study provides a review of the scientific literature on springs ecosystems with an emphasis on the hydrology and ecology of springs ecosystems as well as the current threats springs ecosystems face in arid regions with particular focus on the southwestern United States. The purpose of the review is to provide a summary of the advances in scientific understanding to emphasize the need for changes in legislation and management practices in order to protect, preserve, and restore these unique and valuable resources.;An in-depth look at spring ecosystem management, including original research involving the implementation of springs management within the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in Arizona, USA, is presented to provide contextual information and initiate inquiry into this subject area. Scant literature provides contextual information on springs management implementation and there is yet to be any study involving policy implementation regarding springs management in federal agencies. This study utilizes qualitative interviews to understand how resource managers within the USFS in Arizona use existing policies to manage springs under their jurisdiction. Trends in perspectives were identified to infer the effectiveness of policy implementation in regards to springs management in the USFS. Additionally, contextual information is discussed to identify opportunities for collaboration, transparency, and shared effective strategies among stakeholders.