Publication Details

Category Text Publication
Reference Category Journals
DOI 10.1007/s10980-020-01107-4
Licence creative commons licence
Title (Primary) Scientific and local ecological knowledge, shaping perceptions towards protected areas and related ecosystem services
Author Cebrián-Piqueras, M.A.; Filyushkina, A.; Johnson, D.N.; Lo, V.B.; López-Rodríguez, M.D.; March, H.; Oteros-Rozas, E.; Peppler-Lisbach, C.; Quintas-Soriano, C.; Raymond, C.M.; Ruiz-Mallén, I.; van Riper, C.J.; Zinngrebe, Y.; Plieninger, T.
Source Titel Landscape Ecology
Year 2020
Department NSF
Volume 35
Issue 11
Page From 2549
Page To 2567
Language englisch
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10980-020-01107-4/MediaObjects/10980_2020_1107_MOESM1_ESM.xlsx
Keywords Traditional ecological knowledge; Ecosystem services; Protected areas; Local community; Ecosystem vulnerability; Biodiversity; Landscape sustainability; Human-nature relationships; Inclusive conservation
Abstract

Context

Most protected areas are managed based on objectives related to scientific ecological knowledge of species and ecosystems. However, a core principle of sustainability science is that understanding and including local ecological knowledge, perceptions of ecosystem service provision and landscape vulnerability will improve sustainability and resilience of social-ecological systems. Here, we take up these assumptions in the context of protected areas to provide insight on the effectiveness of nature protection goals, particularly in highly human-influenced landscapes.

Objectives

We examined how residents’ ecological knowledge systems, comprised of both local and scientific, mediated the relationship between their characteristics and a set of variables that represented perceptions of ecosystem services, landscape change, human-nature relationships, and impacts.

Methods

We administered a face-to-face survey to local residents in the Sierra de Guadarrama protected areas, Spain. We used bi- and multi-variate analysis, including partial least squares path modeling to test our hypotheses.

Results

Ecological knowledge systems were highly correlated and were instrumental in predicting perceptions of water-related ecosystem services, landscape change, increasing outdoors activities, and human-nature relationships. Engagement with nature, socio-demographics, trip characteristics, and a rural–urban gradient explained a high degree of variation in ecological knowledge. Bundles of perceived ecosystem services and impacts, in relation to ecological knowledge, emerged as social representation on how residents relate to, understand, and perceive landscapes.

Conclusions

Our findings provide insight into the interactions between ecological knowledge systems and their role in shaping perceptions of local communities about protected areas. These results are expected to inform protected area management and landscape sustainability.

 

Persistent UFZ Identifier https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=23670
Cebrián-Piqueras, M.A., Filyushkina, A., Johnson, D.N., Lo, V.B., López-Rodríguez, M.D., March, H., Oteros-Rozas, E., Peppler-Lisbach, C., Quintas-Soriano, C., Raymond, C.M., Ruiz-Mallén, I., van Riper, C.J., Zinngrebe, Y., Plieninger, T. (2020):
Scientific and local ecological knowledge, shaping perceptions towards protected areas and related ecosystem services
Landsc. Ecol. 35 (11), 2549 - 2567 10.1007/s10980-020-01107-4