Page 84 - A bird’s-eye view of recreation - Rogier Pouwels

A bird's-eye view of recreation
5.3 Using scientific tools in the recreation-biodiversity conflict
To demonstrate and to discuss the importance of the four key features we will describe our experience with the use of scientific tools in a recent research project. The PROGRESS project took place from October 2003 until October 2007 (see www. forestry.gov.uk/forestry/infd-6aqeua). The research was conducted in the New Forest, which covers > 57,000 ha west of Southampton, UK. Centuries of grazing by deer and livestock, coupled with human management shaped the forest into a combination of heathland, ancient woodland, mire systems, grassy plains, and coniferous and deciduous enclosures. As part of the Natura 2000 network in Europe the New Forest is protected by the Habitat Directive (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) and the Bird Directive (Council Directive 79/409/EEC). These nature conservation legislations should safeguard natural values and stop the decline of biodiversity in the EU. Both directives also state that measures taken for this protection should take into account economic, social, recreational, and cultural requirements. For the New Forest recreation is important because it supports economically significant tourism industries in its surroundings. Over the last three decades the New Forest has experienced a significant rise in visitor numbers, and the estimation of more than 13.5 million visitors each year could pose a serious potential threat to the biodiversity of the area. As a result the land managers are looking for solutions together with scientists, local experts, and local stakeholders (Colas et al. 2008). The Forestry Commission consults a local stakeholder network about its activities.
In the PROGRESS project we built on this network. Apart from informing the public and trying to influence their behavior, the project organized a dialogue with a panel of 23 stakeholders to use local knowledge in finding solutions for nature–recreation conflicts and guide the direction of the project actions. These stakeholders represent different interest groups, e.g., local councils, conservation groups like The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), and recreational user groups (Table 1). The Verderers have a specific role among the stakeholders because they share the responsibility for the management of the New Forest together with the Forestry Commission. The Verderers derive their offices, powers, and responsibilities from the Act of Parliament in 1877 and are elected by the county. In meetings they were represented by up to three people. For the Forestry Commission the local input of the stakeholders is vital in sharing many management decisions and in fostering a more comprehensive understanding of forest issues and just as importantly, other peoples’ views (see www.forestry.gov.
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