Knowledge Dynamics in Valorising Local Nature

Abstract

This article examines how sustainable development is actually being applied to rural development, and the assumptions about different forms of knowledge and their integration used in this application. The results of the study are based on a comparative analysis of research reports from 12 European countries on 27 projects and programmes for nature protection and biodiversity maintenance. It is argued that the distribution of different forms of knowledge and their evaluation are related to the form and structure of local civil society. The results suggest that the kinds of knowledge that are most prevalent in nature protection and biodiversity management are mainly scientific knowledge and, to limited degree, managerial knowledge, with the latter gaining in importance. In contrast, local knowledge as a knowledge system rooted in local resource use practices has become a rare feature of the European countryside.

Scientist and non-scientists share a diversity of dimensions in their relations to urban nature

“…These examples show that successful communication is possible between scientists, experts and lay people. However, in Europe, most nature protection and biodiversity management still rely on scientific knowledge (Siebert et al 2008). …”

La haie coupe, l’eau relie. Les continuités écologiques requalifiées par les agriculteurs

“…Par rapport à la préoccupation gestionnaire, l'approche relationnelle inscrit les ressources naturelles dans cette complexité et dans des rapports sociaux multiples. Car ce qu'il est important de connaître, ce sont les relations sociales, historiques, institutionnelles dans lesquelles les savoirs se développent (Siebert et al, 2008 …”

“…Tout ce vocable technique rend difficile l'expression des points de vue des agriculteurs sur le sujet (Yliskylä-Peuralahti, 2003). Fondée sur sa légitimité scientifique (Alphandéry et Fortier, 2012), la politique TVB exclut la compréhension qu'en ont différents acteurs (Siebert et al, 2008). L'expérience des agriculteurs s'efface devant la voix de lobbies agricoles ou naturalistes, remarque Bryan (2012) analysant le dispositif Natura 2000 en Irlande.…”

Measuring Regional Creative Capacity: A Literature Review for Rural-Specific Approaches

“…However local knowledge is usually mixed with the knowledge in the locality which can be in another form of knowledge i.e., transferred or expert knowledge or brought knowledge by migrants or newcomers depending on the diversity of the region and the intensity of external ties (Siebert et al, 2008). (2) Transferred/Brought knowledge: is basically the knowledge beyond the region which is brought or transferred through networks and became knowledge of the population.…”