Adapting international conservation strategies to local context: perceptions of biodiversity values and management responsibility in two Mediterranean deltas

摘要

The declining state of biodiversity is of global significance with conservation strategies driving conventions and agreements that cross national boundaries. Environmental management is a reflection of the socio-cultural values underpinning the way inwhich biodiversity is valued. Understanding these social values is essential for successful management. This study focused on two Mediterranean deltas that apply the same international conservation convention. We identified and compared the way in whichbiodiversity is perceived and valued at a landscape scale. A deliberative sampling methodology collected a total of 93 perspectives from actors involved in environmental management through survey-questionnaires. Values were linked to ecosystem servicesin both samples. Differences in samples were identified by using a full range of landscape values. Biodiversity, recreation and aesthetics values were the highest ranked in the Rhone sample. The Gediz sample highlighted the future, recreation and intrinsic values. Further differences were identified including perceived responsibility for biodiversity. Rhone participants identified cross-scale responsibility and Gediz participants identified responsibility for biodiversity at the macro and meso social scales. The way in which biodiversity is valued and perceptions of who is responsible has a consequence for the translation of international conservation treaties into environmental management and participation in the local context.