The Cíes Islands of Galicia in Spain are celebrated for their pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters, and rich marine life. Often referred to as the "Galician Caribbean," these islands are a protected natural paradise, attracting visitors for hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying unspoiled coastal beauty. SOCIAT revealed the diverse benefits for both visitors and local communities from the park.
Social Capital and Impact Assessment Tool for Protected Areas (SOCIAT)
A tool for the in-depth understanding of social impacts of nature Protected Areas
SOCIAT is a tailored questionnaire that measures:
- Social outcomes of a Protected Area for local communities
- The sociodemographic profile of the local community including place attachment, socio-environmental values and demographics
- Attitudes towards the governance system and levels of pro-environmental behaviour
Data collected via SOCIAT can assist in:
- Promoting the equal distribution of social impacts of protected areas
- Building trusted relationships with local communities
- Increasing engagement and empower local communities
- Incorporating local values in decision-making
- Predicting the change of social impacts through time
The benefits of using SOCIAT
The SOCIAT tool helps conservation practitioners and scientists to plan actions that will assist in increasing the level of public support for protected areas in the context of a post 2020 Biodiversity Strategy and the new Green Deal.
Protected areas can be a significant source of tensions between local communities, visitors and conservationists because their governance frameworks often impose restrictions on those who use these areas, limiting or at least regulating activities within their boundaries. Rather than shortfalls in funding, the failure to have the support of all categories of stakeholder is a key reason why some European PAs have been unsuccessful and have a low level of public support. SOCIAT helps to address this challenge.
SOCIAT applications
Black Forest National Park
Black Forest National Park is one of the most popular nature parks in Europe. 500 people from the local communities participated in the SOCIAT assessment revealing their attitudes and perceptions about the park.
Eifel National Park
The Eifel National Park was founded as the first (and to date only) National Park in North Rhine-Westphalia. 330 people from local communities participated in the assessment expressing their views on a number of issues including the distribution of social impacts between stakeholders.
Matsalu National Park
Matsalu National Park in Estonia is one of the most important wetlands in Europe. SOCIAT was distributed in Spring 2021 capturing the views of 100 people living in the area regarding the contributions of the parks in their daily lives.
Triglav National Park
Triglav National Park is located in the Julian Alps of Slovenia. The park protects a variety of wildlife, including chamois, ibex, and golden eagles, preserving the region's natural heritage. Approximately 200 people participated in the SOCIAT survey revealing the multiple benefits of the park for local communities.
South European MPAs
SOCIAT was applied in four Marine Protected Areas in France (Calanques), Italy (Egadi island), Greece (Alonissos) and Spain (CIES Islands). The surveys revealed a number of benefits for local communities from the Marine PAs but also potential issues with specific stakeholders.
Pieniny National Pak
Pieniny National Park, located on the border between Poland and Slovakia, is renowned for its picturesque limestone cliffs and the scenic Dunajec River Gorge. The park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities like hiking, rafting, and exploring its diverse flora and fauna. SOCIAT captured the significant contribution of the park for local communities.
Kullaberg Nature Reserve
Kullaberg Nature Reserve is located in South Sweden and is characterised by steep cliffs, rocky shores, and dense forests overlooking the Kattegat Sea. The reserve is very popular with daily visitors. SOCIAT revealed the benefits of the park for local communities and also areas for improvement to minimise negative impacts.
Peak District National Park
Peak District National Park is located in England. The park is surrounded by large cities and as a result is a very popular destination for short and long-term stays. This report reveals the impact of the park for local communities during the covid-19 pandemic.
SOCIAT in European Protected Areas
We are working with park authorities in 19 protected areas in Europe
The SOCIAT tool has been developed as a result of the FIDELIO: Forecasting Social Impacts of Biodiversity Conservation Policies in Europe research project. This is funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. The tool and associate guidelines have been further developed thanks to funding from the University of Warwick's Policy Support Fund.