Natura 2000 in the Rochefort Marshland (France)

The history of the situation

Two different ways of understanding wetland management of Atlantic Marshes :

1. One of these is centred on the high agronomic potential of the wetland

2. The other one is centred on the wetland’s high biological potential

Changes in understanding

Changesin

practices

Rochefort wetland history

Natura 2000 Atlantic Maritime Marshes

• Different stakeholders– Farmers:-

• Marshland drainage realises agronomic potential

– Municipalities• Marshland drainage controls flooding

– Nature conservation interests• Flooding allows full expression of ecological value.

Assumptions

• We can identify the (eco)systems involved, and set boundaries on them

• There is an ideal steady state for any ecosystem/water body– Science can define this state, and determine

how to achieve it

Ecological constraints 2

• Different stakeholders see different systems, with different ecological constraints

• Therefore, need to co-construct these constraints.

Ecological constraints 2

• Different stakeholders see different systems, with different vulnerabilities

• Therefore, need to co-construct these constraints.

Problem or Issue?

Interdependencies

? Uncertainty

Controversy

Complexity

ISSUE / MESS

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Baltic_Sea_map.png

The Nyae Nyae: Stakeholders Perceived Problems

The J/’hoansi: - Too many elephants and lions- Tourist insensitivity- Illegal poaching- Wildfires- Too little prescribed burning

Hereos:No access to area with cattlePerceived with mistrust

Tourist Operators:- Restricted access- Poor people

The Ministry of Forestry- Illegal burning!!!

The Ministry of Wildlife and Tourism- Illegal poaching/grazing and hunting- Insufficient water for wildlife- Low Wildlife abundance

WWF-US- Illegal poaching/grazing and hunting- Insufficient water for wildlife- Low Wildlife abundance

Table: Positive Realist vs PAR (Constuctionist) Issue

Positive Realist PAR (Constructionist)

Nature of Reality Realist Single

Constructed Multiple

Starting Point

Theory Generalisable Language Outside

Observation Contextual Language Inside

Subjects Understanding

Irrevelant

Fundamental Contextual

Researchers Role

Subject to object Detached Outside Expert

Subject to subject Involved Reflective partner

Objectivity

Absolutist Static

Relativist Dynamic

The Aim

Explain Evaluate

Understand Change

Epistemology: Grounds for Knowing something!!

Stakeholders have little

input

Stakeholders have lots of

input

Goals are jointly set

Vulnerabilty have been set

in advance

Level One Knowing

Level Two Knowing

Level Three KnowingEpistemic Research

Meta Research

Research