| The aim of the proposal is to construct a research programme designed to provide detailed information and critical analysis as a basis for informed decision-making by managers of wetland environments. The programme is designed for four wetland locations reaching from northern to southern Europe. Each of these wetland ecosystems is important area for the maintenance of biodiversity and also supports commercial fisheries. These factors lead to actual and/or perceived conflict between wetland species and human populations. Hence, the major objective of the programme is to produce a comparative cross-cultural study of how socio-economic development may, or may not, be reconciled with the preservation of biodiversity. The research will take into account the needs of wetland species and people and the knowledge and values of local stakeholders through- a set of interlinking, interdisciplinary projects involving ecologists and social scientists. |
