In the last decades, populations of large carnivores have been making a spectacular return, especially in the USA and Western Europe. These population recoveries result partially from protective legislation and reintroduction programs, but possibly also from land use changes and from large carnivores adapting to human environments. Although public support for large carnivore protection seems to be growing, some stakeholders still have a negative perception of large carnivores because of their alleged negative impacts on livestock and humans. Perceptions of large carnivores are partly determined by underlying visions of nature which differ between stakeholder groups. We therefore examined the relationship between different stakeholder groups' perceptions of nature and the presence of the fox (Vulpes vulpes), and the possible establishment of the wolf (Canis lupus) and lynx (Lynx lynx) in a Dutch riverine landscape. Stakeholder groups comprised the general public, farmers, scientists and nature conservationists. Although perceptions of large carnivores differed significantly across the stakeholder groups, public support for large carnivores was generally higher than expected. Farmers show the most negative perception, especially regarding the wolf and lynx. This is related to their vision 123Biodivers Conserv (2017) 26:1723-1743 DOI 10.1007/s10531-017-1329 of nature, which is more strongly aligned with mastery over nature compared to other stakeholder groups. Scientists, prominent adherers of stewardship of nature, appear to have the most positive perception of large carnivores. Despite these differences in visions of nature, respondents generally adhere to the stewardship of nature relationship. This could be a good starting point to find common ground when disputes arise over large carnivores.

Integrated river basin management (IRBM) calls for participatory practices involving stakeholders along transnational river landscapes. Understanding the complex and diverse views regarding participation is a prerequisite for meaningful involvement of civil actors, especially in a transnational context. In a case study along the Lower Rhine river, we assessed and compared cognitive perceptions towards IRBM of citizen initiatives and nature organizations from Germany and the Netherlands and their previous experiences with participation processes.We found large differences between the four actor groups in motivations to participate as well as in levels of trust towards institutions. This study also showed different views on participation between the two countries with regard to the problem definition, nature images and the perceived relationships between government organisations on the one hand and citizen initiatives and nature organisations on the other hand.The findings suggest that views vary between citizen initiatives and nature organizations within a country and that cultural notions add to the complexity of transnational participation. In transnational participation processes, the varying views between actor groups should be taken into account, as well as the complexities among countries even within actor groups.

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As many studies show, action for nature is related to connectedness with nature, and both have roots in nature experiences during childhood and youth. Through a literature review, we combine empirical studies on the interplay between experiences in nature during childhood and youth, connectedness with nature, and action for nature and uncover a new way of structuring understandings of connectedness with nature: humans and nature as separate yet related entities (intertwined), one as part of the other (including), and as one entity (indistinguishable). Although the interplay between experiences, connectedness, and action for nature has been clearly demonstrated, the underlying mechanisms are still to be unraveled. Studying this interplay through the lens of these three different understandings of nature contributes to elucidating the underlying mechanisms. We suggest how connectedness can be strengthened in terms of the findings of the studies included in the review and present two potential pathways: through experiences and through identification. Finally, we provide recommendations for future research using the integral ecology framework and call for more diversity in research methodologies and respondents.

Bernadette F. van Heel & Riyan J.G van den Born To cite this article: Bernadette F. van Heel & Riyan J.G van den Born (2020): Studying residents' flood risk perceptions and sense of place to inform public participation in a Dutch river restoration project, Journal of Integrative Environmental Sciences,