Wildland fire fuels within the gray-phase of mountain pine beetle ( Dendroctonus ponderosae Hopkins) outbreak (4–10 years post mortality) are treated as homogenous despite potential variability. To assess if proportion of mortality due to mountain pine beetle in gray-phase stands significantly affects fuel structure, composition, and loading, detailed fuel measurements were collected across a range of severity in Jasper National Park, Alberta, Canada, by coincidence 1–3 years before a major wildfire. These were categorized based on outbreak severity thresholds of Light (<35%), Moderate (36%–65%), and Severe (>65%) beetle-induced pine mortality defined as the proportion of killed trees within a stand. The canopy fuels of both mature and small tree cohorts were significantly reduced with increasing outbreak severity. Severely affected stands showed a 49% reduction in mature tree canopy bulk density from original loading but increased herbaceous vegetation. Moderately affected stands had higher coarse woody debris loading (mean = 3.21 kg m – 2 ; SE = 0.49 kg m –2 ). These severity ratings can be used to quantify canopy fuel loss and signal potential shifts to other surface fuel types, barring fire. This is one of the first studies to showcase variability within gray-phase outbreak fuels, despite their prevalence in western Canada, and discuss the potential influences on fire behaviour.

This paper examines the residential mobility of urban low-income residents in two Chinese cities using survey data. Contrary to previous studies, our results reveal a relatively low level of housing mobility among the urban poor. In exploring the determinants of low-income housing mobility, we employ both life-cycle and social-psychological theories, with particular attention to the role of place-based factors and their interactions with other variables. Our analysis uncovers a strong relationship between housing mobility and life-cycle variables, albeit with considerable heterogeneity among residents. Additionally, the lived experience of housing emerges as a significant predictor of mobility. Lastly, we find that the interplay of place and space exerts a profound and complex influence on this process, shaping moving intentions at various geographical scales and interacting with other factors to determine the housing mobility of urban low-income groups.

Existing neighbourhood research suggests growing socio-spatial inequalities and decreased participation and social cohesion in cities across North America. This paper uses a multiple case study design and qualitative, indepth interviews to explore individuals' experiences of participation in diverse neighbourhoods in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Based on thematic analysis of interviews, it identifies four types of formal neighbourhood participation (stepping up, speaking out, addressing needs, and showing up) and six types of informal participation in which residents engaged (networking, caring, reciprocating, working together, watching out, and getting out). These empirical findings offer rich qualitative perspectives on neighbourhood social capital, also drawing attention to the intersectional factors and complex power dynamics that influence how residents participate in neighbourhoods and neighbouring behaviours. Overall, the paper highlights the potential for community-based organizations to foster more inclusive participation, while also shaping how place-based inequalities play out.

BACKGROUND:Variations in rural nurses' sense of community and engagement in rural communities are poorly understood, although there is evidence that these are linked to community cohesion and perceived community resilience. OBJECTIVE:The aim of our research was to develop descriptive profiles of rural nurses who exhibit a sense of community and community engagement at low, average, and high levels, based on occupational, personal, community, and regional characteristics. These results were linked to levels of cohesion and resilience. DESIGN:A survey questionnaire, including established scales, demographic information, and information about rural nursing practice was administered to rural nurses. SETTINGS:Rural communities in all provinces and territories in Canada outside the commuting zone of urban areas with 10,000 or more inhabitants. PARTICIPANTS:Multi-level systematic stratified sampling was employed for the national survey. A subsample of 2116 Registered Nurses, Nurse Practitioners, and Licensed Practical Nurses comprised the participants for this analysis. METHODS:The analysis was conducted in two stages: (1) in the first subset, those (n = 2116) whose primary work community was rural, remote, or rurban with less than 10,000 inhabitants were grouped into a nine-group typology based on low, average, and high tertiles of Psychological Sense of Community and Community Engagement. The second subset (n = 993) represented those in three groups: low-low, average-average, and high-high scores on the two indices. Significant differences between the three groups were identified based on occupational, personal, community, and regional characteristics. Chi Square, ANOVA, and correlation tests were applied as required. RESULTS:Nurses with low scores on both Psychological Sense of Community and Community Engagement were more likely to be from larger communities, single or divorced and living and working in the North. Those with average scores on both scales have been in their nursing positions for more than 20 years, are middle aged and are satisfied with their home community. Nurses in the third group have high scores on both indicators; they are more likely to be from a smaller childhood communities, married or living common-law, and are in the late middle age group. CONCLUSIONS:By focusing on the key variables or traits of nurses, modifiable recruitment and retention practices can be implemented. For example, it is important to recruit nurses who are from smaller communities. Other initiatives for nurses include matching community activities with the age and stage of the family and developing a welcoming strategy for the workplace and community for newly arrived nurses.

Disasters are unpredictable events that have catastrophic impacts. There is now a focus on disaster resilience and capacity building in the recovery of the community. Resilience literature also suggests a staged model of disaster impacts and likelihood of staged manifestations of resilience. It also points to a potentially important link between place-based social cohesion and resilience. This article reports on comparative findings of cohesion and resilience indices in four Canadian rural communities that experienced disasters and evacuation in potentially different phases of coping and resilience. Buckner’s Index of Cohesion and the Index of Perceived Community Resilience are examined in each community for relationships (correlation) between cohesion and resilience and for differences in the intensity of these variables. Our findings show a consistent significant positive correlation between cohesion and resilience, although the strength of the relationship varies. Findings also show place-specific differentiation in the mean intensity of both cohesion and resilience scores; temporal phases of disaster recovery for each community are also noted. This information can help in disaster recovery planning by ensuring supports are available at key points in time for communities that experience disasters. Other research is needed that compares communities that have experienced different types of disasters and over time periods to document any changes to resilience or cohesion thereby assisting with disaster policy development and programme planning.

Wildfires are becoming increasingly common, but there is limited understanding of their effects on children. This article reports on a study of wildfire impacts on children in a Canadian community. Self-reported measures of posttraumatic stress and coping and behavioral difficulties were obtained from a school-based survey of children in grades three to 12 carried out six months (T1) and 12 months (T2) after the fires. Students completed two screening instruments: the University of California at Los Angeles Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Reaction Index for Children and Adolescents – DSM-IV-TR, and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, and provided information about demographic details and loss of their home. Paired data (n = 140) revealed that a substantial number of children met certain PTSD criteria symptoms at T1 but the number declined by T2. Differences in symptoms by age, gender, and house loss were examined. Age and house loss were important differentiators of impact, but these waned through time, and house loss was not a defining trait of those most at risk of severe psychopathology. Future research examining children's responses to a variety of disasters would add to our knowledge about stress reactions while determining whether there are commonalities in responses across types of disasters.

This paper examines some of the social processes associated with disaster conditions. Utilising an asset-based perspective of community capacity, it focuses on four types of normative systems to interpret the ability of communities to manage disasters through market-, bureaucratic-, associative-, and communal-based norms. Drawing on experience of a wildfire in the Crowsnest Pass region of southwest Alberta, Canada, in 2003, the tensions and compatibilities among these normative systems are evaluated through interviews with 30 community leaders. The results confirm the contributions of all types of social capital to resiliency, the necessity for rapid use of place-based knowledge, and the importance of communication among all types and levels of agents. In addition, they point to the value of identifying and managing potential conflicts among the normative systems as a means to maximising their contributions. The integration of local networks and groups into the more general disaster response minimised the impacts on health and property.

Wildfires are becoming a greater concern in many areas of the world. In this article, focus is on wildfires in two rural communities in Canada with emphasis on the aftermath at both the individual and community levels. Through open-ended interviews, information was generated about individual experiences with recovery and the creation of groups in the communities post-wildfire. The findings reveal that despite the differences in the severity of the fires, residents at both sites experienced impacts after the event. Disaster management implications include the need to focus on all community residents, not just those who experienced losses, while investing in the social rebuilding of communities.

Journal of Community PsychologyVolume 41, Issue 6 p. 758-775 ARTICLE COMMUNITY RESILIENCY: EMERGING THEORETICAL INSIGHTS Judith C. Kulig, Corresponding Author Judith C. Kulig University of LethbridgePlease address correspondence to: Judith C. Kulig, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDana S. Edge, Dana S. Edge Queens UniversitySearch for more papers by this authorIvan Townshend, Ivan Townshend University of LethbridgeSearch for more papers by this authorNancy Lightfoot, Nancy Lightfoot University of LethbridgeSearch for more papers by this authorWilliam Reimer, William Reimer Concordia UniversitySearch for more papers by this author Judith C. Kulig, Corresponding Author Judith C. Kulig University of LethbridgePlease address correspondence to: Judith C. Kulig, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Lethbridge, 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada. E-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorDana S. Edge, Dana S. Edge Queens UniversitySearch for more papers by this authorIvan Townshend, Ivan Townshend University of LethbridgeSearch for more papers by this authorNancy Lightfoot, Nancy Lightfoot University of LethbridgeSearch for more papers by this authorWilliam Reimer, William Reimer Concordia UniversitySearch for more papers by this author First published: 08 July 2013 https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.21569Citations: 92Read the full textAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Citing Literature Volume41, Issue6August 2013Pages 758-775 RelatedInformation