Policy, philosophy or propaganda? Ecosystem management in Sequoia National Forest

The emergence of "ecosystem management" within resource management discourse reflects growing support for management directed at sustaining ecosystems. This thesis reviews ecosystem management literature and identifies four dominant themes of ecosystem management. This framework is employed to examine United States Forest Service implementation of ecosystem management at the local level. A case study examining giant sequoia management in Sequoia National Forest, California, is presented.;The Sequoia National Forest case study suggests that the application of ecosystem management is affected by poor relations between managers and stakeholders, inadequate policies and ineffective policy implementation, and a lack of ecological research on which to base management decisions. Six recommendations are presented: (1) improving communication and establishing trust; (2) encouraging confidence in and commitment to the process; (3) acknowledging biases; (4) investing in research and science; (5) reconciling policy and funding constraints with long-term planning; and (6) exploring the relationship between values and science.