Integrating science and local knowledge to strengthen biosphere reserve management

Hockings, Marc; Lilley, Ian; Matar, Diane A.; Dudley, Nigel; Markham, Robert

doi:10.4324/9780429428746-19

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…However, even though a bottom-up approach is important within biosphere reserves, the residents' interests and knowledge of tangible and intangible heritage were not reflected in the documents produced by the Biosphere Association. These results are in line with research that shows how the relevance of local, traditional, and experiential knowledge, passed down from one generation to another, is recognised in sustainable landscape management but less common in practice [39,40].…”

Section: Are There Any Collaborations Within the Biosphere Reserve Re...supporting

confidence: 89%

Cultural Values of Landscapes in the Practical Work of Biosphere Reserves

Eliasson

Fredholm

Knez

et al. 2023

Land

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The purpose of this paper is to investigate the role of the landscape’s cultural values in the practical work of biosphere reserves and to identify what opportunities there are to increase awareness and knowledge about these values. The paper draws upon data collected in a Swedish biosphere reserve, including a survey of residents, interviews with public officials involved in cultural heritage management, and an analysis of documents produced by the Biosphere Reserve Association. Residents showed a broad knowledge about the landscape’s cultural values, and they linked immaterial heritage to material objects. The residents’ strong identity and pride in relation to the landscape were confirmed by the officials, who argued that it is the deep layers of history and the cultural diversity of the landscape that make the biosphere reserve attractive. However, concepts related to the landscape’s cultural values were barely touched upon in the documents analysed; the landscape’s cultural values were presented as a background—as an abstract value. The findings reveal several unexplored opportunities and practical implications to increase awareness and knowledge of the landscape’s cultural values. Suggested actions include definition of goals, articulation and use of concepts, inventories of actors, increased collaboration, and use of residents’ knowledge. Cultural values of landscapes are often neglected in the practical work of biosphere reserves, despite the social and cultural dimensions of sustainable development being an important component of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. This research indicates several ways of bridging this gap between theory and practice.

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Section: Are There Any Collaborations Within the Biosphere Reserve Re...supporting

confidence: 89%

Cultural Values of Landscapes in the Practical Work of Biosphere Reserves

Eliasson

Fredholm

Knez

et al. 2023

Land

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Knowledge Mobilization in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta, Canada

Blye

Halpenny

Hvenegaard

et al. 2020

Land

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This study explores how knowledge was and is mobilized to advance the objectives of the Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve, located in Alberta, Canada. Established in 2016, a 12-year collaborative effort worked to establish the biosphere reserve and achieve formal UNESCO designation. Subsequent efforts to grow the newly established biosphere reserve have accelerated in recent years. Our study documented how different types of knowledge were accessed, created, curated, and shared between partners during these two time periods. Focus group interviews were conducted with 14 participants, who are affiliated with Beaver Hills Biosphere Reserve partner organizations, and revealed the following findings: (1) not all knowledge is equally valued or understood; (2) partnerships are highly valued, and were essential to successful knowledge mobilization, but were stronger among individuals rather than organizations; (3) fear of the loss of autonomy and potential complications due to the establishment of a biosphere reserve slowed the exchange of information and engagement by some regional actors; and (4) knowledge mobilization is and was impeded by staff and agency capacity, finances, and time scarcity. This was further complicated by entrenched norms of practice, existing successful working relationships impeding the development of new partnerships, and embracing alternative forms of knowledge.

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Integrating science and local knowledge to strengthen biosphere reserve management

Cited by 2 publications

References 1 publication

Cultural Values of Landscapes in the Practical Work of Biosphere Reserves

Cultural Values of Landscapes in the Practical Work of Biosphere Reserves

Knowledge Mobilization in the Beaver Hills Biosphere, Alberta, Canada

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