Developing Human Well-being Domains, Metrics and Indicators in an Ecosystem-Based Management Context in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia, Canada

Ecosystem-based management (EBM) encompasses both ecological integrity and human well-being, although it remains unclear how human well-being should be measured in an EBM context. Despite efforts to view EBM holistically, the human component is often overlooked or reduced to economic indicators that do not capture the full range of values held by the people affected by EBM policies. This study explored human well-being metrics of importance to local residents in Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (B.C.), Canada. The selection of this particular forest-dependent community was pragmatic since Haida Gwaii has recently participated in EBM planning and policy implementation that includes co-management between the Haida Nation and the Province of B.C. Using semistructured key informant interviews, we identified seven domains and 46 human well-being metrics important to measure on Haida Gwaii. Communities working to develop human well-being metrics in similar EBM contexts may find these concepts useful in their work.