Description
The LINKAGE project aims to improve biodiversity governance in Poland and Norway and to contribute to the understanding of social values and priorities towards landscape and biodiversity within and outside protected areas. Our main objective is to enhance protection and rational use of natural resources of protected and non-protected areas in Norway and Poland by developing, testing and evaluating a novel methodology using Public Participation Geographic Information System. Within LINKAGE we want to deliver deepened knowledge on spatial distribution of ecosystem services and social values attached to certain types of landscape. We want to provide data and technology for relevant local governments responsible for nature conservation and landscape planning. Project network will include Polish and Norwegian policy makers, representatives of environmental ministries, scientific working groups, international and national NGOs as well as lay people. The LINKAGE project will strengthen the scientific potential of Polish and Norwegian researchers with regard to the social dimensions of environmental governance.
Summary of project results
Local communities engagement in nature conservation has been widely recognized as improving conservation outcomes. Yet, representation of general public in shaping nature policy still remains low. Innovative methodologies may impact positively upon the individuals knowledge, attitudes and awareness about nature, and provide opportunities for local communities to become more environmentally conscious and actively engaged. LINKAGE filled that gap by developing innovative technologies (PPGIS) for protected areas management and spatial planning outside protected areas, introducing new, web-based applications to study experts’ and local residents’ perception of natural values, preferences towards environment and spatial management and ecosystem services provided by the local nature (eg.
www.korzyscizprzyrody.iop.krakow.pl). It is too early to conclude that all long term results are to be achieved, but optimistically it seems that many of them have been successfully completed: e.g. a delivery of deepened knowledge on ecosystem services and spatial values spatial distribution, increasing understanding of public participation that uses PPGIS for engaging various stakeholders into nature governance. PPGIS methodology was highly valued practically by all beneficiaries of the project and starts to get an interest among both representatives of academia and practitioners. The project WPs’ outputs and deliverables included Internet PGIS tools for NO and PL supported by a novel, not originally scheduled in the project web-based application for PL, numerous databases, maps, reports, one book, project’s website. A base knowledge used and created during the project was widely disseminated and popularized. That was possible by presentation the results at 38 conferences and seminars, 13 workshops for experts and local residents, 1 workshops for MSc and PhDs students, as well as at the conference summarizing the project. Project results were also summarized in a form of book, constituting guidelines for national and regional authorities. Scientific excellence of the consortium was proved by 7 jointly published and 3 already submitted manuscripts to the internationally and nationally peer-revied journals. A completion of the project (particularly developed tools and reports) will (and already is) change the perception of scientists and practitioners on how an increase of environmental governance effectiveness is crucial and necessary when meeting the conservation needs.
Summary of bilateral results
A bilateral PL-NO consortium contributed to a deep understanding of how a collaborative work experts of various backgrounds and experience may enrich the outcomes of a realized research. In case of the Polish researchers, an awareness of a need of such a nature of work while dealing with environmental issues, obliged to promoting interdisciplinarity among Polish academia. A comparative studies carried in two countries resulted in a broader perspective while analysing gathered data. It also verified how and why application of developed tools and recommendation need to be adapted to culturally and socially different communities. It both made developing more interesting and of a greater scientific value manuscripts, eventually raising the chances of their publishing. Available funds supported exchange of thoughts and experiences not just virtually but also built partnership by personal meetings both in Poland and Norway which allowed both partners a deeper understanding of the involved countries in social, research and cultural aspects. It was especially valuable to the young researchers, just entering academic life. Eventually, a joined project supported a research capacity of international partners almost guarantying further scientific collaboration.