Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves

UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are pivotal for studying and fostering sustainable interactions between people and nature. In this study, a public participatory geographical information system (PPGIS) approach was employed targeting key stakeholders across the 12 Portuguese BRs, to map their place-b...

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Main Authors: Miguel Moreira, Luciana Frazão, Jarrod Cusens, Paula Castro, António C. Gouveia, António Alves da Silva, Sara H. Santos, Inger E. Måren, Joana Alves, Helena Freitas
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Ecosystems and People
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2422920
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author Miguel Moreira
Luciana Frazão
Jarrod Cusens
Paula Castro
António C. Gouveia
António Alves da Silva
Sara H. Santos
Inger E. Måren
Joana Alves
Helena Freitas
author_facet Miguel Moreira
Luciana Frazão
Jarrod Cusens
Paula Castro
António C. Gouveia
António Alves da Silva
Sara H. Santos
Inger E. Måren
Joana Alves
Helena Freitas
author_sort Miguel Moreira
collection DOAJ
description UNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are pivotal for studying and fostering sustainable interactions between people and nature. In this study, a public participatory geographical information system (PPGIS) approach was employed targeting key stakeholders across the 12 Portuguese BRs, to map their place-based perception over Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP). Stakeholders actively mapped NCP within their BRs, highlighting Habitat creation and maintenance (NCP 1), Physical and psychological experiences (NCP 16), and Supporting identities (NCP 17), underscoring the significance of the territories’ natural and cultural values. Through our analysis, we identified NCP hotspots, pinpointing the most valued areas for conservation or restoration efforts. Zonation analysis within BRs was also assessed, revealing the perceived effectiveness of the different BR zones by stakeholders. Although our study did not quantify NCP supply through biophysical data, it provided valuable insights into non-material NCP from key stakeholders’ perspectives, as well as place-based perceptions of regulating and material NCP provision. We outline that PPGIS may serve as a useful GIS-based decision support system, offering a comprehensive assessment of NCP, especially for cultural values which are not easily quantified by remote methods. Participatory approaches such as PPGIS may play a crucial role in BR governance, enhancing sustainability and equity by integrating key stakeholders’ perceptions into land use planning. Our study’s findings may contribute on the actionable knowledge advance for sustainable management practices in Portuguese BRs by incorporating stakeholder perspectives, fostering improved co-management practices, and promoting the conservation and enhancement of their ecological and cultural heritage.
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spelling doaj-art-7c2062de8b5d4fb7896ac721e01539442024-12-27T07:00:22ZengTaylor & Francis GroupEcosystems and People2639-59082639-59162024-12-0120110.1080/26395916.2024.2422920Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reservesMiguel Moreira0Luciana Frazão1Jarrod Cusens2Paula Castro3António C. Gouveia4António Alves da Silva5Sara H. Santos6Inger E. Måren7Joana Alves8Helena Freitas9Centre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Biological Sciences, The University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalDepartment of Biological Sciences, The University of Bergen, Bergen, NorwayCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalCentre for Functional Ecology – Science for People and the Planet (CFE), TERRA Associate Laboratory, Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, PortugalUNESCO Biosphere Reserves (BRs) are pivotal for studying and fostering sustainable interactions between people and nature. In this study, a public participatory geographical information system (PPGIS) approach was employed targeting key stakeholders across the 12 Portuguese BRs, to map their place-based perception over Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP). Stakeholders actively mapped NCP within their BRs, highlighting Habitat creation and maintenance (NCP 1), Physical and psychological experiences (NCP 16), and Supporting identities (NCP 17), underscoring the significance of the territories’ natural and cultural values. Through our analysis, we identified NCP hotspots, pinpointing the most valued areas for conservation or restoration efforts. Zonation analysis within BRs was also assessed, revealing the perceived effectiveness of the different BR zones by stakeholders. Although our study did not quantify NCP supply through biophysical data, it provided valuable insights into non-material NCP from key stakeholders’ perspectives, as well as place-based perceptions of regulating and material NCP provision. We outline that PPGIS may serve as a useful GIS-based decision support system, offering a comprehensive assessment of NCP, especially for cultural values which are not easily quantified by remote methods. Participatory approaches such as PPGIS may play a crucial role in BR governance, enhancing sustainability and equity by integrating key stakeholders’ perceptions into land use planning. Our study’s findings may contribute on the actionable knowledge advance for sustainable management practices in Portuguese BRs by incorporating stakeholder perspectives, fostering improved co-management practices, and promoting the conservation and enhancement of their ecological and cultural heritage.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2422920Catharina (Nynke) SchulpNatural resources governanceecosystem servicesparticipatory planningstakeholdersPPGIS
spellingShingle Miguel Moreira
Luciana Frazão
Jarrod Cusens
Paula Castro
António C. Gouveia
António Alves da Silva
Sara H. Santos
Inger E. Måren
Joana Alves
Helena Freitas
Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
Ecosystems and People
Catharina (Nynke) Schulp
Natural resources governance
ecosystem services
participatory planning
stakeholders
PPGIS
title Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
title_full Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
title_fullStr Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
title_full_unstemmed Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
title_short Engaging participatory mapping for co-management and spatial depiction of nature’s contributions to people in the Portuguese biosphere reserves
title_sort engaging participatory mapping for co management and spatial depiction of nature s contributions to people in the portuguese biosphere reserves
topic Catharina (Nynke) Schulp
Natural resources governance
ecosystem services
participatory planning
stakeholders
PPGIS
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/26395916.2024.2422920
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