Ecological research and environmental management: We need different interfaces based on different knowledge types
Recherche en écologie et gestion environnementale : nous avons besoin de différents types d'interfaces et de savoirs
Résumé
The role of ecological science in environmental management has been discussed by many authors who recognize that there is a persistent gap between ecological science and environmental management. Here we develop theory through different perspectives based on knowledge types, research categories and research-management interface types, which we combine into a common framework. To draw out insights for bridging this gap, we build our case by:
(i) explicitizing the link between three categories of ecological research and the type of research-management interface they are associated with. We first evaluate three types of unidirectional interfaces and recommend a new kind of interface - called the Research-Within-Management interface (RWM).
(ii) suggesting that adaptive management and structured decision-making can integrate all these different angles and serve as meta-interfaces in their relation to research.
(iii) distinguishing explanatory knowledge from empirical knowledge, and contending that explanatory knowledge is not necessarily the most important output for the research-management interface today.
(iv) highlighting that experiential ecological knowledge -including the expertise and experience of managers, citizens and scientists- is another primary knowledge input in environmental decision-making that should not be systematically downplayed.
We point out the complementarities as well as the specificities and limitations of the different types of ecological research, ecological knowledge and research-management interfaces, which is of major importance for environmental management and research policies.
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