Human well-being differs by community type: Toward reference points in a human well-being indicator useful for decision support

摘要: Abstract Human activity has growing impacts on the natural capital humans depend for existence. While many of these are regional, national, or international in scope, it is increasingly evident that decisions made at local community level also important. Yet, understanding decisions, as well how to correct mitigate impacts, can be problematic, communities differ resources, priorities, dependencies capital, and even opinions about whether actually affect quality life. Every unique characteristics, however effective decision support requires common reference points measures human well-being upon which base support. We have developed a classification system intended find such ground characteristics tie elements well-being. This was USA with publically available data resource dependence, socio-economic composition, existence capital. The resulting applied coastal county then used predict based an existing index. Coastal were separated into eight groups Bayesian cluster analysis. Classification found associated significant differences More importantly, specific key population density economic dependence resources. In particular, social cohesion leisure time strong low high but this association weakened densities economically diversity increased. These sorts commonalities type tied important because they provide clear ties environmental service flows, meaningful point from measure changes community-specific