The Impact of Scientific Information on Ecosystem Management: Making Sense of the Contextual Gap Between Information Providers and Decision Makers |
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Authors: | Ernita van Wyk Dirk J Roux Mikael Drackner Stephen F McCool |
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Institution: | (1) Natural Resources and the Environment, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, 0001 Pretoria, South Africa;(2) Department of Society and Conservation, College of Forestry and Conservation, The University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812-0576, USA |
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Abstract: | Scientific information is not always effectively incorporated into decision-making processes. This phenomenon seems to hold
even when the information is aligned with an articulated need, is generated according to sound scientific procedures, and
is packaged with end-user preferences in mind. We propose that contextual or cultural differences contribute significantly
to the misalignment in communication between those who generate information and those who seek information for improved management
of natural resources. The solution is to cultivate shared understanding, which in turn relies on acknowledgment and sharing
of diverse values and attitudes. This constitutes a difficult challenge in a culturally diverse environment. Whereas cultural
diversity represents wealth in experiences, knowledge and perspectives it can constrain the potential to develop the shared
understandings necessary for effective integration of new information. This article illustrates how a lack of shared understanding
among participants engaged in a resource-management process can produce and perpetuate divergent views of the world, to the
extent that information and knowledge flows are ineffective and scientific information, even when requested, cannot be used
effectively. Four themes were distilled from interviews with management and scientific staff of a natural resource–management
agency in South Africa. The themes are used to illustrate how divergent views embedded in different cultures can discourage
alignment of effort toward a common purpose. The article then presents a sense-making framework to illustrate the potential
for developing shared understandings in a culturally diverse world. |
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Keywords: | Culture Ecosystem management Learning Scientific information Shared understanding |
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