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Interdisciplinarity in action
Linking science and policy to preserve biodiversity and restore ecosystem
functions
Luis SantamariaPablo F. MéndezLaboratorio de Ecologia EspacialMediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies, Mallorca, Spain
Jaime AmezagaUniversity of Newcastle, UK
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Halting biodiversity loss by 2010
2002
2006
2010
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Coverage of protected areas
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Aver
age
glo
bal t
empe
ratu
re (°
C)
Num
ber o
f pira
tes
(app
rox.
)
FSM Church: Pirates cause climate change
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Aver
age
glo
bal t
empe
ratu
re (°
C)
Num
ber o
f pira
tes
(app
rox.
)
Biod
iver
sity
Cove
r of p
rote
cted
are
as
FSM Church: Pirates cause climate changeProtected areas cause biodiversity loss
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Case study: Doñana Nature Reserves
Values
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Pressures
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Impacts
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Intrinsic hydrologic uncertainty, caused by strong inter-annual variation in precipitation regime + historical impact on inflows
% o
f sur
face
floo
ded
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Large spatial variation in flooding period (from 0.5 to 9 months/year)
Overimposed on a even stronger variation between years
E.g. maximum inundation in two consecutive years (1995 and 1996)
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Flooding intensity (timing, duration and water depth) is a key determinant of aquatic-ecosystem structure.
Why? Because turbidity caused by siltation determines the yearly shifts between two alternative stable states:
- macrophyte dominated (high diversity)- algae dominated (low diversity, risk of toxic blooms)
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Water management: Cannot define an optimum flooding regime. Instead, enhance resilience by increasing biotic connecivity, reducing
herbivore pressure and structuring water management.
Wetland restoration: Cannot define an optimum design. Instead, increase resilience by maximizing wetland size/depth diversity – and
learn from the design to improve future management.
Funded and executed by River Authority, distrusted by Park managers!
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Perceptual trap - never look under the surface (of water)
Fear of uncertainty - resort to single-goal panaceas
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Focusing on wetland conservation + water resources management :
1. Practical case of adaptive restoration (demonstration site)
2. Institutional background- Historical analysis
- Narrative analysis (policy narratives)
3. Action research- (Semi-structured) interviews
- Workshops
Key objectives- Introduce the concepts of uncertainty and resilience
- Build trust among management agencies and with stakeholders- Introduce flexibility and foster innovation
National
Regional
Local Livestock (comunal pastures)
1928
National
Regional
Local Livestock (comunal pastures)
River Authority
1928
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River Authority
1928 1964
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River AuthorityNational Park
19681928 1964
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River AuthorityNational Park
19681928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River AuthorityNational Park
National Park
20061968
1928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River Authority
National Park
20061968
1928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
River Authority
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
River Authority
National Park
201020061968
1928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
River Authority
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
National Park
201020061968
1928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
River Authority
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
2011
River Authority
National Park
201020061968
1928 1964 1989
National
Regional
Local
Biological Reserve
Natural Park
Livestock (comunal pastures)
2011
River Authority
National Park
201020061968
1928 1964 1989
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Rigidity trapPath dependency RIR
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Management narratives
1. WRM: water is used to maximise productivity and foster economic growth
2. NC: conservation areas (incl. wetlands) are managed to safeguard nature “as it was” (in the 1960’s) and foster human welfare (non-
economic values)
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Meta-narrative: management for productivity, using comparable (single-minded, optimality-oriented, hyerarchical) approaches.
1. WRM produces commodities (crops, game, fishing)
2. NC produces protected species (linx, eagle, waterbirds)
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Interviews and workshops:
1. Semi-structured interviews to 30 key actors
2. Workshop on uncertainties (card-sorting method)
-> Subset of actors included in management workshop
3. Workshop on management (facilitated discussion + group-model building)
-> Got together WRM and NC!
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Recommendations of management workshop:
1. Develop transparent, shared management objectives
2. Re-structure monitoring and improve institutional coordination
3. Incorporate research and social participation to policy-making process
4. Define a specific Doñana–subcatchment in the River Management Plan
5. Continue and expand the cooperation dynamics created by the Aznalcollar mining accident
6. Develop pilot projects to prove success and generate trust
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Current prospects
1. Forthcoming revision/evaluation of adaptive restoration design
2. Discussions on “adaptive management” of horse/cattle within the park and restoration area
3. “Institutional closure” – window of opportunity progressive closed, as institutional system regains rigidity
4. Prospects of change – major political change expected
Open question: have we introduce enough flexibility so that these crises trigger innovation & learning?
Interdisciplinarity in action 19/07/11
Take home message
1. Use of patchwork of approaches, rather than all-embracing frameworks
2. Key role of individuals and politics
3. Need to “get your hands dirty” to introduce change
4. It is probably impossible to become a perfect ID-hybrid – but it is often effective to try!