Page 17 - A bird’s-eye view of recreation - Rogier Pouwels

perceived differently by different actors (Cash et al. 2003, Sarkki et al. 2013, Heink et al. 1 2015). Finding a balance between the attributes is important and shortcomings in any
of these three attributes can jeopardize decision making (Cash et al. 2003, Cook et al.
2010). Therefore, I conclude that there is a need for science-based information on the
relationship between recreation and bird populations that can be made site-specific and serve as the basis for deliberations and negotiations in collaborative decision- making processes involving site managers and other stakeholders.
1.3 Aim of the thesis
In this thesis I will provide new scientific knowledge and tools for determining the impact of recreation on birds that are derived from finding a balance between credibility, legitimacy and salience (Cash et al. 2003, Sarkki et al. 2013) (Fig. 2). My aim is to facilitate conflict management between outdoor recreation and biodiversity conservation in nature areas by helping managers and stakeholders to turn over- generalized discussions into discussions about opportunities and possible solutions (Margerum 2002, Redpath et al. 2013). The thesis has two main objectives. First, I want to explore how available data and knowledge can be made context-specific, thus making it more salient. To achieve this, I will integrate site-specific, local knowledge with generic scientific knowledge, taking into account the complexity caused by the different scales at which recreational activities affect bird populations (Gutzwiller et al. 2017). Second, I will explore how scientific information on the relationship between recreation and bird populations can help conflict management in local mixed stakeholder groups. I will show how scientific tools can help site managers to work with different points of view about potential impacts in decision-making processes (McCool 2016) and to open the debate between these mixed stakeholder groups to improve the legitimacy of the outcome.
I recognize that obtaining and incorporating site-specific information into the decision- making process is critical for achieving salience and legitimacy (Ansell and Gash 2008, Reed 2008, Raymond et al. 2010). This process opens the dialogue between different values and views (Reed et al. 2010), which is needed to cross the boundaries between different parties (Redpath et al. 2013, Berkes 2009, Harris and Lyon 2013). Being able to discuss each other's values and views is a necessary condition for joint problem solving and co-learning, which are essential features of collaborative management (Berkes 2009, Armitage et al. 2009). I will show how site-specific information and
General introduction
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