Interdisciplinarity in action - Linking science and policy to preserve biodiversity and restore ecosystem functions

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Interdisciplinarity in action Linking science and policy to preservebiodiversity and restore ecosystem functions Luis Santamaria Pablo F. Méndez Laboratorio de Ecologia Espacial Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Mallorca, Spain Jaime Amezaga University of Newcastle, UK

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Halting biodiversity loss by 2010 2002 2006 2010

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Coverage of protected areas

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 FSM Church: Pirates cause climate change Average global temperature ( C) Number of pirates (approx.)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Protected areas cause biodiversity loss FSM Church: Pirates cause climate change Average global temperature ( C) Cover of pirates (approx.) Numberof protected areas Biodiversity

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11Case study:Doñana Nature Reserves

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Values

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Pressures

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Impacts

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11Intrinsic hydrologic uncertainty, caused by strong inter-annualvariation in precipitation regime + historical impact on inflows % of surface flooded

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11Large spatial variation in flooding period (from 0.5 to 9 months/year) Overimposed on a even stronger variation between years E.g. maximum inundation in two consecutive years (1995 and 1996)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Flooding intensity (timing, duration and water depth) is a key determinant of aquatic-ecosystem structure.Why? Because turbidity caused by siltation determines the yearly shifts between two alternative stable states: -macrophyte dominated (high diversity) -algae dominated (low diversity, risk of toxic blooms)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Water management: Cannot define an optimum flooding regime. Instead, enhance resilience by increasing biotic connecivity, reducing herbivore pressure and structuring water management. Wetland restoration: Cannot define an optimum design.Instead, increase resilience by maximizing wetland size/depth diversity – and learn from the design to improve future management. Funded and executed by River Authority, distrusted by Park managers!

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Perceptual trap - never look under the surface (of water) Fear of uncertainty - resort to single-goal panaceas

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11Focusing on wetland conservation + water resources management : 1. Practical case of adaptive restoration (demonstration site) 2. Institutional background -Historical analysis -Narrative analysis (policy narratives) 3. Action research -(Semi-structured) interviews - Workshops Key objectives -Introduce the concepts of uncertainty and resilience -Build trust among management agencies and with stakeholders -Introduce flexibility and foster innovation

1928NationalRegional Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1928National River AuthorityRegional Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1928 1964 Biological ReserveNational River AuthorityRegional Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National ParkRegional Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 1989 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National ParkRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 1989 2006 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National Park National ParkRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 1989 2006 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National ParkRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 1989 2006 2010 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National Park River AuthorityRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 1928 1964 1989 2006 2010 Biological ReserveNational National Park River AuthorityRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 2011 1928 1964 1989 2006 2010 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National Park River AuthorityRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

1968 2011 1928 1964 1989 2006 2010 Biological ReserveNational River Authority National ParkRegional Natural Park Local Livestock (comunal pastures)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Path dependency Rigidity trap RIR

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Management narratives1. WRM: water is used to maximise productivity and foster economic growth2. NC: conservation areas (incl. wetlands) are managed to safeguard nature “as it was” (in the 1960’s) and foster human welfare (non- economic values)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11Meta-narrative: management for productivity, using comparable (single- minded, optimality-oriented, hyerarchical) approaches. 1. WRM produces commodities (crops, game, fishing) 2. NC produces protected species (linx, eagle, waterbirds)

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Interviews and workshops: 1. Semi-structured interviews to 30 key actors 2. Workshop on uncertainties (card-sorting method) -> Subset of actors included in management workshop 3. Workshop on management (facilitated discussion + group- model building) -> Got together WRM and NC!

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Recommendations of management workshop: 1. Develop transparent, shared management objectives 2. Re-structure monitoring and improve institutional coordination 3. Incorporate research and social participation to policy-making process4. Define a specific Doñana–subcatchment in the River Management Plan 5. Continue and expand the cooperation dynamics created by the Aznalcollar mining accident 6. Develop pilot projects to prove success and generate trust

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Current prospects 1. Forthcoming revision/evaluation of adaptive restoration design2. Discussions on “adaptive management” of horse/cattle within the park and restoration area3. “Institutional closure” – window of opportunity progressive closed, as institutional system regains rigidity 4. Prospects of change – major political change expectedOpen question: have we introduce enough flexibility so that these crises trigger innovation & learning?

Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11 Take home message1. Use of patchwork of approaches, rather than all-embracing frameworks 2. Key role of individuals and politics 3. Need to “get your hands dirty” to introduce change 4. It is probably impossible to become a perfect ID-hybrid – but it is often effective to try!

Interdisciplinarity in action - Linking science and policy to preserve biodiversity and restore ecosystem functions

by luissantamariagaldon on Nov 22, 2011

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Interdisciplinarity in action - Linking science and policy to preserve biodiversity and restore ecosystem functions — Presentation Transcript