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Research article2020Peer reviewedOpen access

Scientific and local ecological knowledge, shaping perceptions towards protected areas and related ecosystem services

Cebrian-Piqueras, M. A.; Filyushkina, A.; Johnson, D. N.; Lo, V. B.; Lopez-Rodriguez, M. D.; March, H.; Oteros-Rozas, E.; Peppler-Lisbach, C.; Quintas-Soriano, C.; Raymond, C. M.; Ruiz-Mallen, I.; van Riper, C. J.; Zinngrebe, Y.; Plieninger, T.

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.

Keywords

Traditional ecological knowledge; Ecosystem services; Protected areas; Local community; Ecosystem vulnerability; Biodiversity; Landscape sustainability; Human-nature relationships; Inclusive conservation

Published in

Landscape Ecology
2020, Volume: 35, number: 11, pages: 2549-2567
Publisher: SPRINGER

      SLU Authors

      • Sustainable Development Goals

      Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
      Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

      UKÄ Subject classification

      Ecology

      Publication identifier

      DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10980-020-01107-4

      Permanent link to this page (URI)

      https://res.slu.se/id/publ/107864