Biological diversity under development: a study of the co-production that is biological diversity

Abstract

The problem of biodiversity loss is a complex issue involving multiple actors and knowledge forms. This article examines how this complexity is possible without fragmenting the issue and causing it to lose its meaning and legitimacy. Inspired by Jasanoff, the study aims to analyse the construction of biological diversity through a co-production perspective. This aim is achieved by focusing on three milestones in the history of the problem of biodiversity loss: launching the concept of biodiversity, establishing the Convention on Biological Diversity and founding the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. The study shows how biological diversity consists of a co-production of facts and values and how its differences make it a stable rather than unstable phenomenon. The study offers knowledge of the hybrid character of biodiversity and discusses the importance of trying to manage the complexity of biological diversity rather than reducing it through boundary work.

Wrestling with the complexity of evaluation for organizations at the boundary of science, policy, and practice

“…Sometimes referred to as bridging organizations (Nel et al. ), these entities help researchers align their efforts with critical questions for policy and practice and assist policy makers and practitioners to commission research that is aligned with their challenges (Gustafsson ; Nel et al. ; Beier et al.…”

“…They may operate at a local, national, or international scale or operate across scales. Their activities may include convening and facilitating dialog; informing and analyzing policy; conducting research; supporting lobbying and advocacy; providing technical support, training, and capacity building; or supporting knowledge coproduction and facilitating knowledge exchange or brokering (Gustaffson ; Bednarek et al. ; Clapp et al.…”

Framing and visualising biodiversity in EU policy

“…Accordingly, raising awareness and engagement for biodiversity is a communication challenge. There is no such thing as the 'ultimate representation' of biodiversity (Krishnamurthy 2003;Sumares and Fidélis 2011;Gustafsson 2014). Instead, the individual parts and multiple values of biodiversity can be represented in various ways, by means of descriptions, metaphors and iconic images, and with different emphases.…”