UNDERSTANDING PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND COMBINING PERCEPTIONS OF STAKEHOLDERS’ FOR A BETTER MANAGEMENT IN DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE (ROMANIA)

Natasa Vaidianu, University of Bucharest, Interdisciplinary Centre for Advanced Researches on Territorial Dynamics, Romania

Abstract

This study examines the perceptions of local stakeholders in Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve (DDBR), with the aim of developing key concepts that will be used in future information and communication strategies regarding biodiversity conservation in the area. A number of 40 stakeholders were interviewed during August 2011 in the DDBR and qualitative data were obtained. The discussions were held with different groups of stakeholders: i) local people; ii) DDBR Authority representatives; iii) NGO’s; iv) scientists; v) fishermen; vi) local authorities; vii) county authorities; viii) investors. We used a FCM approach and let stakeholders draw cause-effect networks. The identification of different stakeholders’ perceptions of the DDBR area allowed us to analyze and to model the cognitive maps, which consist of variables, causal relationships among those variables and of strengths of the connections. Causal mapping contributes to the goal of using peoples’ knowledge of ecosystems to improve understanding of socio-ecological systems. Analysis reveals that DDBR Authority, county authorities and local authorities are substantially worried about the pollution connected with overfishing, while other social groups care more about touristic activities, accessibility degree, health system or financial resources. Based on these perceptions, different management policy options have been simulated in order to explore their potential effects on the biodiversity, nature conservation and the sustainable development of the area.

Keywords: public perceptions, socio-ecological systems, FCM, stakeholders, management, Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve