Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers
The conservation of biodiversity requires various forms of evidence to ensure effective outcomes. In this study, we provide an updated assessment of the state of evidence-based decision-making in Canada’s protected areas organizations by examining practitioner perceptions of: (i) the value and use o...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Canadian Science Publishing
2021-01-01
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| Series: | FACETS |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0085 |
| _version_ | 1831763846423904256 |
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| author | Christopher J. Lemieux Elizabeth A. Halpenny Trevor Swerdfager Mu He A. Joyce Gould Don Carruthers Den Hoed Jill Bueddefeld Glen T. Hvenegaard Brian Joubert Rick Rollins |
| author_facet | Christopher J. Lemieux Elizabeth A. Halpenny Trevor Swerdfager Mu He A. Joyce Gould Don Carruthers Den Hoed Jill Bueddefeld Glen T. Hvenegaard Brian Joubert Rick Rollins |
| author_sort | Christopher J. Lemieux |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The conservation of biodiversity requires various forms of evidence to ensure effective outcomes. In this study, we provide an updated assessment of the state of evidence-based decision-making in Canada’s protected areas organizations by examining practitioner perceptions of: (i) the value and use of various forms of evidence, (ii) the availability of evidence to support decisions, and (iii) the extent to which various institutional and behavioural barriers influence the use of evidence. Our results compare national surveys conducted in 2019 and 2013, revealing a significant and concerning decline in the use of all forms of evidence. We found significant declines in the use of peer-reviewed literature, local knowledge, and Indigenous knowledge. Our results correspondingly demonstrate a host of systemic barriers to the effective use of evidence, including a lack of trust, how to deal with uncertainty, and limited training. These challenges persist at a time when the quantity of information is greater than ever, and recognition of the value of Indigenous knowledge is relatively high (and increasing). Leadership is required to cultivate more relevant evidence, to embed scientists and Indigenous Knowledge-Holders in conservation organizations, to (re)establishing knowledge sharing forums, and to establish accountability and reporting measures to support efforts aimed at effectively achieving Canada’s biodiversity conservation goals. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:32:43Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-85a0461b64cf48b9a8b79c6517b0ced6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2371-1671 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-22T05:32:43Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Canadian Science Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | FACETS |
| spelling | doaj.art-85a0461b64cf48b9a8b79c6517b0ced62022-12-21T18:37:24ZengCanadian Science PublishingFACETS2371-16712021-01-016164066410.1139/facets-2020-0085Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managersChristopher J. Lemieux0Elizabeth A. Halpenny1Trevor Swerdfager2Mu He3A. Joyce Gould4Don Carruthers Den Hoed5Jill Bueddefeld6Glen T. Hvenegaard7Brian Joubert8Rick Rollins9Department of Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, CanadaSchool of Environment and Resource Studies, Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaFaculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, CanadaOffice of the Chief Scientist, Parks Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5J 5C6, CanadaUniversity of British Columbia/Canadian Parks Collective for Innovation and Leadership (CPCIL), Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, CanadaDepartment of Geography & Environmental Studies, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, ON N2L 3C5, CanadaAugustana Faculty and Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2H9, CanadaParks Operations Division, Alberta Environment and Parks, Edmonton, AB T5J 5C6, CanadaRecreation and Tourism, Vancouver Island University, Nanaimo, BC V9R 5S5, CanadaThe conservation of biodiversity requires various forms of evidence to ensure effective outcomes. In this study, we provide an updated assessment of the state of evidence-based decision-making in Canada’s protected areas organizations by examining practitioner perceptions of: (i) the value and use of various forms of evidence, (ii) the availability of evidence to support decisions, and (iii) the extent to which various institutional and behavioural barriers influence the use of evidence. Our results compare national surveys conducted in 2019 and 2013, revealing a significant and concerning decline in the use of all forms of evidence. We found significant declines in the use of peer-reviewed literature, local knowledge, and Indigenous knowledge. Our results correspondingly demonstrate a host of systemic barriers to the effective use of evidence, including a lack of trust, how to deal with uncertainty, and limited training. These challenges persist at a time when the quantity of information is greater than ever, and recognition of the value of Indigenous knowledge is relatively high (and increasing). Leadership is required to cultivate more relevant evidence, to embed scientists and Indigenous Knowledge-Holders in conservation organizations, to (re)establishing knowledge sharing forums, and to establish accountability and reporting measures to support efforts aimed at effectively achieving Canada’s biodiversity conservation goals.https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0085evidenceknowledgemanagementbiodiversityconservationdecision-making |
| spellingShingle | Christopher J. Lemieux Elizabeth A. Halpenny Trevor Swerdfager Mu He A. Joyce Gould Don Carruthers Den Hoed Jill Bueddefeld Glen T. Hvenegaard Brian Joubert Rick Rollins Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers FACETS evidence knowledge management biodiversity conservation decision-making |
| title | Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers |
| title_full | Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers |
| title_fullStr | Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers |
| title_short | Free Fallin’? The decline in evidence-based decision-making by Canada’s protected areas managers |
| title_sort | free fallin the decline in evidence based decision making by canada s protected areas managers |
| topic | evidence knowledge management biodiversity conservation decision-making |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2020-0085 |
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