Integrating Conservation Humanities and Social Science in nature protection and restoration policies
About the project
Protected Areas (PAs) are a crucial tool for conserving nature, covering 20% of the world's land and 10% of the sea, with a global goal to reach 30% by 2030. However, for PAs to be truly effective, they must benefit both nature and people. Conservation Humanities, a field within environmental humanities, focuses on the human dimensions—such as culture, behavior, and social norms—that influence biodiversity protection. Despite their importance, these factors are often overlooked in PA planning, limiting conservation success.
Our research here at the University of Warwick emphasizes the relationship between PAs and local communities, highlighting the need to consider place identity and cultural values in conservation efforts. We have created several tools helping practitioners to capture these interconnection.
This project aims to transform hese methodologies into accessible resources for conservation professionals, particularly in Europe. Through knowledge exchange activities with NGOs and PA managers, we aim to equip them with the skills needed to apply these tools across various projects, ultimately improving outcomes for both people and nature.
Tools we have developed
We have crafted tools to help practitioners capture the socio-ecological outcomes of protected areas and assess social equity. These tools are designed to bridge the people-nature gap, empowering those involved in policy delivery to make informed, socially equitable decisions. By embedding techniques from environmental humanities and social sciences, these tools enhance the planning and decision-making processes for protected areas.
Researcher
Professor Nikoleta Jones
SOCIAL tool
SOCIAT is a customized questionnaire designed to assess the social outcomes of a protected area for local communities. It evaluates the sociodemographic profile of the community, including place attachment, socio-environmental values, and demographics, as well as attitudes towards the governance system and levels of pro-environmental behavior. SOCIAT is available in multiple languages
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Intrerview guide
A detailed interview guide has been developed allowing researchers and practitioners to capture people's relationship with the protected areas emphasizing cultural, historical, social and political elements. The interview guide is availablehereincluding guidelines of use.
Mapping social impacts
A series of new methodologies were developed to map aspects of social spatial equity within protected areas. These techniques can be used alongside ecological maps, enabling practitioners to make informed decisions during planning processes for protected areas, thereby bridging the people-nature gap.
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