Title: Białowieża Forest: what it used to be, what it is now and what we want it to be in the fut... more Title: Białowieża Forest: what it used to be, what it is now and what we want it to be in the future, Author(s): Szwagrzyk J., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0030; Title: What is the use of studies carried out on the permanent plots in the Białowieża National Park?, Author(s): Bobiec A., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0031; Title: The Białowieża Forest – a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site – protection priorities, Author(s): Kujawa A., Orczewska A., Falkowski M., Blicharska M., Bohdan A., Buchholz L., Chylarecki P., Gutowski J.M. , Latałowa M., Mysłajek R.W., Nowak S., Walankiewicz W., Zalewska A., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0032; Title: Mass outbreaks of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in the context of the controversies around the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Author(s): Grodzki W., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0033; Title: Ecology and biology of birds in the Białowieża Forest: a 40-year perspective, Author(s): Czeszczewik D., Walankiewicz W., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0034; Title: Xylocopa valga Gerst. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Poland, Author(s): Huflejt T., Gutowski J.M., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0035; Title: Managing bark beetle outbreaks (Ips typographus, Dendroctonus spp.) in conservation areas in the 21st century, Author(s): Kulakowski D., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0036; Title: Why do foresters oppose the enlargement of the Białowieża National Park? The motivation of the State Forest Holding employees as perceived by social actors engaged in the conflict over the Białowieża Forest, Author(s): Niedziałkowski K., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0037; Title: Changes in the stands of the Białowieża National Park from 2000 to 2015, Author(s): Miścicki S., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0038; Title: Changes of water quality in the Łutownia and Perebel rivers in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Author(s): Janek M., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0039
Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, soci... more Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, social and cultural dimensions in practical planning. Here, we propose connectivity as a conceptual tool to include different dimensions into landscape and spatial planning. We present a short review of the connectivity concept in relation to ecological, social and cultural dimensions and illustrate it by examples from a real landscape planning case.
This study explains thedifficultieswiththe enlargement of theBiałowiez˙ aNational Park inPolandth... more This study explains thedifficultieswiththe enlargement of theBiałowiez˙ aNational Park inPolandthrough an ecosystem services perspective.Wecarried out a questionnaire surveyamongthe local communities to investigate local use of ecosystem services and respondents’ attitude towards the national park enlargement. The results indicate that local people are not as dependent on forest resources as often claimed. Firewood proved a crucial resource as the vast majority of the respondents depended on it for heating their houses. We also found that the local population has a rather low awareness of the national park territory and rules involved. The results suggest that previous enlargement attempts might have failed because decision makers did not adequately consider resources the local people depend on. Lack of clear information and transparent decision-making also amplified the conflict. Future enlargement initiatives should provide clear rules concerning the local use of ecosystem services and the access to firewood in particular. Furthermore, new policies should be developed in cooperation with local people and accompanied by an appropriate information campaign. It is argued that the ecosystem services perspective provides important data which can inform more effective conservation policy-making.
Successful conservation needs to be informed by social science because it is closely linked to so... more Successful conservation needs to be informed by social science because it is closely linked to socioeconomic processes and human behaviour. Limited knowledge about ecosystems' interactions with these processes currently undermines conservation efforts. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of social science concerning the world's largest multinationally-coordinated conservation infrastructure: the European Ecological Network-'Natura 2000'. Based on a review of 149 publications, we analyse and discuss the main findings and outline key social-science research gaps with regard to the Natura 2000 network. The review shows that human dimension of the Natura 2000 network is complex and varies among EU Member States. In general, low level and quality of public participation in implementation of the Natura 2000 network and its management, negative public perceptions of the network, lack of flexibility of responsible authorities and insufficient consideration of the local context pose the greatest challenges to the network's functioning. Important but hitherto little studied research topics include: evaluation of participation; effects of education on potential to raise public awareness; effects of potential financing mechanisms for compensating private landowners ; economic studies on cost-effectiveness; and benefits from conservation and ecosystem services. These knowledge gaps will need to be filled for the Natura 2000 network to reach its goals.
Natura 2000 (N2k) is a multinational and coordinated conservation network designated to support t... more Natura 2000 (N2k) is a multinational and coordinated conservation network designated to support the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. It is the key conservation tool in the European Union. We reviewed 510 peer-reviewed publications (period 1998–2014) focusing on ecological aspects of N2k, with the aims of identifying key research gaps and proposing future research priorities for improved conservation success. We categorized the articles by spatial scale, biogeographical regions, taxonomic groups, habitat types, and the analytical methods used. The majority of studies were performed in single N2k sites or at the regional level within countries. The Mediterranean region had the greatest number of publications and the terrestrial Black Sea, Macaronesia, Pannonian and Steppic regions were overrepresented in relation to their total area and to the area of N2k sites that they comprised. Grasslands, freshwater and wetland habitats were overrepresented in comparison to their area within N2k. Plants were the most commonly studied taxonomic group and quantitative empirical studies dominated. Future N2k research should address knowledge gaps by directing more efforts towards: 1) the Boreal region, 2) alpine, agricultural, forest and marine habitats, and 3) underrepresented taxonomic groups such as reptiles, amphibians, lichens and fungi. For enhanced evaluation and realization of the conservation potential of N2k, more studies will need to encompass large spatial scales and utilize modeling approaches to effectively address future climate and land-use changes.
... BNP Białowieża National Park CAB County Administrative Board CORINE Coordination of Informati... more ... BNP Białowieża National Park CAB County Administrative Board CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment EC European Commission EEC European ... has been central in much of the policy and planning literature during the last 15 years (Innes 1995, Forester ...
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Mar 3, 2014
ABSTRACT The European Landscape Convention indicates that assessment of different dimensions exis... more ABSTRACT The European Landscape Convention indicates that assessment of different dimensions existing in landscapes should be taken into account in planning. In this study, we first investigated ecological, cultural and social values as perceived by the local people in a highway-planning process in South-Central Sweden. Then we explored which factors influenced the local people’s participation in the road planning process. We used questionnaires distributed to land owners in the neighborhood of the planned highway and analysis of the documents relevant for the planning process. We used Theory of Planned Behavior to investigate the relations between different factors and local people’s participation in the planning process. The results showed that people presumed the ecological values in the landscape to be adversely affected by the new road, while the social values would remain the same. Land-owners had heard of the participatory-process, but few participated. Those who lived within 300 meters of the road were more active in the planning process than people living further away. The findings suggest that people living within a few hundred meters of the road should be treated as key stakeholders in the planning process. Nevertheless, in line with the ELC also other stakeholders should be considered if the process is to be seen as legitimate. The planning process was to some extent conducted in line with the ELC, but there is a need for improvements, e.g. by involving people from the beginning of the process and by combining different methods of public participation.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science Ecosystem Services Management, Nov 28, 2013
ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce the relatively unknown system of sacred groves in northern W... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce the relatively unknown system of sacred groves in northern Western Ghats to broader scientific community. The social–ecological systems of the sacred groves of this region are areas rich in biodiversity, provide key ecosystem services and are highly valued. Many sacred groves are an important source of water or medicinal resources, as well as regulating services, such as pollination. They are also places for socially important meetings and celebrations. However, initial investigations of sacred groves in the Konkan region of northern Western Ghats have revealed that these sites face many threats, such as for example, development and agriculture encroachment, increased resource use, cattle trampling and renovations of temples that lead to damage in the environment. This threatens the long-term maintenance of the groves’ biodiversity and services provided by them. We argue that the role of the sacred groves as biodiversity hotspots and providers of ecosystem services cannot be separated from the social context in which they exist. Thus, conservation work in such areas requires a step-wise approach including comprehensive recognition of the natural and social values, capacity building among local communities and design of locally suited incentives with participatory planning and implementation.
ABSTRACT This paper addresses the long-standing debate over the conservation and management of th... more ABSTRACT This paper addresses the long-standing debate over the conservation and management of the Białowieża Forest in North-eastern Poland, frequently referred to as the last, large, close-to-natural, temperate, lowland forest in Europe. With the present research we aim to document how particular conceptualisations of “forest” shaped the debate and the fate of the Białowieża Forest. Based on our reconstruction and analysis of argumentation, three dominant discourses could be distinguished, each offering different concepts of forest and people–forest relationships: 1. ‘managerial’ — with foresters presented as stewards of the forest, actively managing it for sus- tainable outcomes; 2. ‘livelihood’ — considering the forest as local heritage and underlining its role in fulfilling people's needs; and 3. ‘primaeval’ — highlighting the forest's intrinsic value and natural processes, being an inter- national concern. The three discourses remained remarkably stable over the past two decades, but their status of institutionalisation evolved, which in turn influenced their hegemony and power. Importantly, our study demon- strates the active role of parties involved in the debate as they used particular concepts (their own, those of others or new ones) for strategic purposes. We conclude that both the achieved hegemony of a discourse and the particular ways by which its concepts are mobilised by actors may play a decisive role in shaping debate and its policy outcomes. We suggest that future research should focus more on the role of actors in strategically using particular forest-related concepts in concrete situations and to what effects.
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings,
Title: Białowieża Forest: what it used to be, what it is now and what we want it to be in the fut... more Title: Białowieża Forest: what it used to be, what it is now and what we want it to be in the future, Author(s): Szwagrzyk J., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0030; Title: What is the use of studies carried out on the permanent plots in the Białowieża National Park?, Author(s): Bobiec A., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0031; Title: The Białowieża Forest – a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site – protection priorities, Author(s): Kujawa A., Orczewska A., Falkowski M., Blicharska M., Bohdan A., Buchholz L., Chylarecki P., Gutowski J.M. , Latałowa M., Mysłajek R.W., Nowak S., Walankiewicz W., Zalewska A., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0032; Title: Mass outbreaks of the spruce bark beetle Ips typographus in the context of the controversies around the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Author(s): Grodzki W., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0033; Title: Ecology and biology of birds in the Białowieża Forest: a 40-year perspective, Author(s): Czeszczewik D., Walankiewicz W., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0034; Title: Xylocopa valga Gerst. (Hymenoptera: Apidae) in Poland, Author(s): Huflejt T., Gutowski J.M., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0035; Title: Managing bark beetle outbreaks (Ips typographus, Dendroctonus spp.) in conservation areas in the 21st century, Author(s): Kulakowski D., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0036; Title: Why do foresters oppose the enlargement of the Białowieża National Park? The motivation of the State Forest Holding employees as perceived by social actors engaged in the conflict over the Białowieża Forest, Author(s): Niedziałkowski K., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0037; Title: Changes in the stands of the Białowieża National Park from 2000 to 2015, Author(s): Miścicki S., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0038; Title: Changes of water quality in the Łutownia and Perebel rivers in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, Author(s): Janek M., DOI: 10.1515/frp-2016-0039
Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, soci... more Implementation of the European Landscape Convention requires new tools that link ecological, social and cultural dimensions in practical planning. Here, we propose connectivity as a conceptual tool to include different dimensions into landscape and spatial planning. We present a short review of the connectivity concept in relation to ecological, social and cultural dimensions and illustrate it by examples from a real landscape planning case.
This study explains thedifficultieswiththe enlargement of theBiałowiez˙ aNational Park inPolandth... more This study explains thedifficultieswiththe enlargement of theBiałowiez˙ aNational Park inPolandthrough an ecosystem services perspective.Wecarried out a questionnaire surveyamongthe local communities to investigate local use of ecosystem services and respondents’ attitude towards the national park enlargement. The results indicate that local people are not as dependent on forest resources as often claimed. Firewood proved a crucial resource as the vast majority of the respondents depended on it for heating their houses. We also found that the local population has a rather low awareness of the national park territory and rules involved. The results suggest that previous enlargement attempts might have failed because decision makers did not adequately consider resources the local people depend on. Lack of clear information and transparent decision-making also amplified the conflict. Future enlargement initiatives should provide clear rules concerning the local use of ecosystem services and the access to firewood in particular. Furthermore, new policies should be developed in cooperation with local people and accompanied by an appropriate information campaign. It is argued that the ecosystem services perspective provides important data which can inform more effective conservation policy-making.
Successful conservation needs to be informed by social science because it is closely linked to so... more Successful conservation needs to be informed by social science because it is closely linked to socioeconomic processes and human behaviour. Limited knowledge about ecosystems' interactions with these processes currently undermines conservation efforts. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of social science concerning the world's largest multinationally-coordinated conservation infrastructure: the European Ecological Network-'Natura 2000'. Based on a review of 149 publications, we analyse and discuss the main findings and outline key social-science research gaps with regard to the Natura 2000 network. The review shows that human dimension of the Natura 2000 network is complex and varies among EU Member States. In general, low level and quality of public participation in implementation of the Natura 2000 network and its management, negative public perceptions of the network, lack of flexibility of responsible authorities and insufficient consideration of the local context pose the greatest challenges to the network's functioning. Important but hitherto little studied research topics include: evaluation of participation; effects of education on potential to raise public awareness; effects of potential financing mechanisms for compensating private landowners ; economic studies on cost-effectiveness; and benefits from conservation and ecosystem services. These knowledge gaps will need to be filled for the Natura 2000 network to reach its goals.
Natura 2000 (N2k) is a multinational and coordinated conservation network designated to support t... more Natura 2000 (N2k) is a multinational and coordinated conservation network designated to support the long-term survival of Europe's most valuable species and habitats. It is the key conservation tool in the European Union. We reviewed 510 peer-reviewed publications (period 1998–2014) focusing on ecological aspects of N2k, with the aims of identifying key research gaps and proposing future research priorities for improved conservation success. We categorized the articles by spatial scale, biogeographical regions, taxonomic groups, habitat types, and the analytical methods used. The majority of studies were performed in single N2k sites or at the regional level within countries. The Mediterranean region had the greatest number of publications and the terrestrial Black Sea, Macaronesia, Pannonian and Steppic regions were overrepresented in relation to their total area and to the area of N2k sites that they comprised. Grasslands, freshwater and wetland habitats were overrepresented in comparison to their area within N2k. Plants were the most commonly studied taxonomic group and quantitative empirical studies dominated. Future N2k research should address knowledge gaps by directing more efforts towards: 1) the Boreal region, 2) alpine, agricultural, forest and marine habitats, and 3) underrepresented taxonomic groups such as reptiles, amphibians, lichens and fungi. For enhanced evaluation and realization of the conservation potential of N2k, more studies will need to encompass large spatial scales and utilize modeling approaches to effectively address future climate and land-use changes.
... BNP Białowieża National Park CAB County Administrative Board CORINE Coordination of Informati... more ... BNP Białowieża National Park CAB County Administrative Board CORINE Coordination of Information on the Environment EC European Commission EEC European ... has been central in much of the policy and planning literature during the last 15 years (Innes 1995, Forester ...
Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Mar 3, 2014
ABSTRACT The European Landscape Convention indicates that assessment of different dimensions exis... more ABSTRACT The European Landscape Convention indicates that assessment of different dimensions existing in landscapes should be taken into account in planning. In this study, we first investigated ecological, cultural and social values as perceived by the local people in a highway-planning process in South-Central Sweden. Then we explored which factors influenced the local people’s participation in the road planning process. We used questionnaires distributed to land owners in the neighborhood of the planned highway and analysis of the documents relevant for the planning process. We used Theory of Planned Behavior to investigate the relations between different factors and local people’s participation in the planning process. The results showed that people presumed the ecological values in the landscape to be adversely affected by the new road, while the social values would remain the same. Land-owners had heard of the participatory-process, but few participated. Those who lived within 300 meters of the road were more active in the planning process than people living further away. The findings suggest that people living within a few hundred meters of the road should be treated as key stakeholders in the planning process. Nevertheless, in line with the ELC also other stakeholders should be considered if the process is to be seen as legitimate. The planning process was to some extent conducted in line with the ELC, but there is a need for improvements, e.g. by involving people from the beginning of the process and by combining different methods of public participation.
International Journal of Biodiversity Science Ecosystem Services Management, Nov 28, 2013
ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce the relatively unknown system of sacred groves in northern W... more ABSTRACT In this paper, we introduce the relatively unknown system of sacred groves in northern Western Ghats to broader scientific community. The social–ecological systems of the sacred groves of this region are areas rich in biodiversity, provide key ecosystem services and are highly valued. Many sacred groves are an important source of water or medicinal resources, as well as regulating services, such as pollination. They are also places for socially important meetings and celebrations. However, initial investigations of sacred groves in the Konkan region of northern Western Ghats have revealed that these sites face many threats, such as for example, development and agriculture encroachment, increased resource use, cattle trampling and renovations of temples that lead to damage in the environment. This threatens the long-term maintenance of the groves’ biodiversity and services provided by them. We argue that the role of the sacred groves as biodiversity hotspots and providers of ecosystem services cannot be separated from the social context in which they exist. Thus, conservation work in such areas requires a step-wise approach including comprehensive recognition of the natural and social values, capacity building among local communities and design of locally suited incentives with participatory planning and implementation.
ABSTRACT This paper addresses the long-standing debate over the conservation and management of th... more ABSTRACT This paper addresses the long-standing debate over the conservation and management of the Białowieża Forest in North-eastern Poland, frequently referred to as the last, large, close-to-natural, temperate, lowland forest in Europe. With the present research we aim to document how particular conceptualisations of “forest” shaped the debate and the fate of the Białowieża Forest. Based on our reconstruction and analysis of argumentation, three dominant discourses could be distinguished, each offering different concepts of forest and people–forest relationships: 1. ‘managerial’ — with foresters presented as stewards of the forest, actively managing it for sus- tainable outcomes; 2. ‘livelihood’ — considering the forest as local heritage and underlining its role in fulfilling people's needs; and 3. ‘primaeval’ — highlighting the forest's intrinsic value and natural processes, being an inter- national concern. The three discourses remained remarkably stable over the past two decades, but their status of institutionalisation evolved, which in turn influenced their hegemony and power. Importantly, our study demon- strates the active role of parties involved in the debate as they used particular concepts (their own, those of others or new ones) for strategic purposes. We conclude that both the achieved hegemony of a discourse and the particular ways by which its concepts are mobilised by actors may play a decisive role in shaping debate and its policy outcomes. We suggest that future research should focus more on the role of actors in strategically using particular forest-related concepts in concrete situations and to what effects.
This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or s... more This article may be used for research, teaching, and private study purposes. Any substantial or systematic reproduction, redistribution, reselling, loan, sub-licensing, systematic supply, or distribution in any form to anyone is expressly forbidden. The publisher does not give any warranty express or implied or make any representation that the contents will be complete or accurate or up to date. The accuracy of any instructions, formulae, and drug doses should be independently verified with primary sources. The publisher shall not be liable for any loss, actions, claims, proceedings,
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Papers by Malgorzata Blicharska
an ecosystem services perspective.Wecarried out a questionnaire surveyamongthe local communities to
investigate local use of ecosystem services and respondents’ attitude towards the national park enlargement.
The results indicate that local people are not as dependent on forest resources as often claimed.
Firewood proved a crucial resource as the vast majority of the respondents depended on it for heating
their houses. We also found that the local population has a rather low awareness of the national park
territory and rules involved. The results suggest that previous enlargement attempts might have failed
because decision makers did not adequately consider resources the local people depend on. Lack of clear
information and transparent decision-making also amplified the conflict. Future enlargement initiatives
should provide clear rules concerning the local use of ecosystem services and the access to firewood in
particular. Furthermore, new policies should be developed in cooperation with local people and accompanied
by an appropriate information campaign. It is argued that the ecosystem services perspective
provides important data which can inform more effective conservation policy-making.
methods used. The majority of studies were performed in single N2k sites or at the regional level within countries. The Mediterranean region had the greatest number of publications and the terrestrial Black Sea, Macaronesia, Pannonian and Steppic regions were overrepresented in relation to their total area and to the area of N2k sites that they comprised. Grasslands, freshwater and wetland habitats were overrepresented in comparison to their area within N2k. Plants were the most commonly studied taxonomic group and quantitative empirical studies dominated. Future N2k research should address knowledge gaps by directing more efforts
towards: 1) the Boreal region, 2) alpine, agricultural, forest and marine habitats, and 3) underrepresented taxonomic groups such as reptiles, amphibians, lichens and fungi. For enhanced evaluation and realization of the conservation potential of N2k, more studies will need to encompass large spatial scales and utilize modeling approaches to effectively address future climate and land-use changes.
an ecosystem services perspective.Wecarried out a questionnaire surveyamongthe local communities to
investigate local use of ecosystem services and respondents’ attitude towards the national park enlargement.
The results indicate that local people are not as dependent on forest resources as often claimed.
Firewood proved a crucial resource as the vast majority of the respondents depended on it for heating
their houses. We also found that the local population has a rather low awareness of the national park
territory and rules involved. The results suggest that previous enlargement attempts might have failed
because decision makers did not adequately consider resources the local people depend on. Lack of clear
information and transparent decision-making also amplified the conflict. Future enlargement initiatives
should provide clear rules concerning the local use of ecosystem services and the access to firewood in
particular. Furthermore, new policies should be developed in cooperation with local people and accompanied
by an appropriate information campaign. It is argued that the ecosystem services perspective
provides important data which can inform more effective conservation policy-making.
methods used. The majority of studies were performed in single N2k sites or at the regional level within countries. The Mediterranean region had the greatest number of publications and the terrestrial Black Sea, Macaronesia, Pannonian and Steppic regions were overrepresented in relation to their total area and to the area of N2k sites that they comprised. Grasslands, freshwater and wetland habitats were overrepresented in comparison to their area within N2k. Plants were the most commonly studied taxonomic group and quantitative empirical studies dominated. Future N2k research should address knowledge gaps by directing more efforts
towards: 1) the Boreal region, 2) alpine, agricultural, forest and marine habitats, and 3) underrepresented taxonomic groups such as reptiles, amphibians, lichens and fungi. For enhanced evaluation and realization of the conservation potential of N2k, more studies will need to encompass large spatial scales and utilize modeling approaches to effectively address future climate and land-use changes.