A network approach for understanding opportunities and barriers to effective public participation in the management of protected areas

• Published in: Social network analysis and mining 2018-12, Vol.8 (1), p.31, Article 31
• Main Authors: Nita, Andreea, Ciocanea, Cristiana M., Manolache, Steluta, Rozylowicz, Laurentiu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applications of Graph Theory and Complex Networks; Collaboration; Company structure; Computer Science; Cooperation; Coordination; Cultural heritage; Cultural resources; Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery; Decision making; Economics; Enforcement; Game Theory; Government agencies; Humanities; Information flow; Information sharing; Law; Legislation; Local population; Management systems; Methodology of the Social Sciences; Network analysis; NGOs; Nongovernmental organizations; Organizational support; Original Article; Protected areas; Public opinion; Public participation; Social and Behav. Sciences; Social network analysis; Social networks; Stakeholders; Statistics for Social Sciences; Sustainable development
• ISSN: 1869-5450; 1869-5469
• DOI: 10.1007/s13278-018-0509-y

Generally, the management of protected areas is accepted to have conflicts, particularly between stakeholders and public agencies. NGOs may be viewed as the key players in implementing management systems, offering essential organizational support, and ensuring information flow within the entire network. Non-participative protected area management often leads to conflicts, particularly between stakeholders and administrative public agencies. Involving NGOs in management decisions can play an essential role in the successful enforcement of conservation programs. In this paper, we merge public perception with social network analysis to identify the network management structure of Iron Gates Natural Park, a Natura 2000 protected area in Romania. By conducting surveys of the local population in 2012 and 2016, we observed an increasing trend in awareness regarding the protected area and conservation methods conducted by the area’s administration. Subsequently, we identified lower percentages of participation by the local population in these activities. The social network analysis applied to management actors and relationships among them revealed a marginal position of NGOs in park management, including a lack of coordination between these NGOs. The network analyses draw attention to the outdated Romanian management system, which essentially works only in theory and is often based on outdated legislation. Our conclusions illustrate the actual collaborative relationships between stakeholders and offer significant recommendations for achieving established management objectives. Public bodies and NGOs should together address ecological and societal issues in the management of Natura 2000 to ensure sustainability, improve trust, and establish long-term viability of natural and cultural heritage.