Stakeholders' perception of the relevance of water and sediment connectivity in water and land management

Anna Smetanová*, Eva Nora Paton, Carly Maynard, Sophie Tindale, Ana Patricia Fernández-Getino, María José Marqéus Pérez, Louise Bracken, Yves Le Bissonnais, Saskia D. Keesstra

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

21 Citations (Scopus)
14 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Using concepts of connectivity in challenges regarding land and water management (flooding, erosion, nutrient leaching, landslides) can only be fully harnessed if knowledge is communicated well between scientists and stakeholders. Proper communication requires prior understanding of end-users' perception of connectivity as a useful framework. Therefore, we analysed (a) perceptions of ‘connectivity’ for stakeholders involved in water and land management across Europe, (b) potential for stakeholders to apply connectivity-related measures in their management decisions, (c) stakeholders' biggest challenges in water and land management, and (d) stakeholders' expectations for future connectivity research agendas. We studied 85 questionnaires from 19 countries using a grounded theory approach. One third of stakeholders understood connectivity in its scientific context, whereas 39% perceived connectivity indirectly through their personal experiences (e.g., water and sediment fluxes and erosion). Half of stakeholders' perceived links and challenges were related to availability of data and methods, communication, and institutions or policy, whereas others believed they were related to water quality and quantity, soil erosion and quality, and climate change. Half of the stakeholders considered connectivity management important, and one third showed high interest in managing connectivity. Adopting connectivity into management is hindered by institutional- and policy-based management limitations, insufficient data and methods, and ineffective knowledge transfer. Explicitly considering heterogeneity of stakeholder perceptions is required for projects regarding management of connectivity at European, national, and local scales.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1833-1844
Number of pages12
JournalLand Degradation and Development
Volume29
Issue number6
Early online date9 May 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jun 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • knowledge transfer
  • management potential
  • perception
  • stakeholders
  • water and sediment connectivity

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