The Network of Knowledge approach: improving the science and society dialogue on biodiversity and ecosystem services in Europe

The Kneu Project Team ,Carsten Nesshöver,Barbara Livoreil,Esther Carmen,Josef Settele,Juliette C Young,Estelle V Balian,Klaus Peter Zulka,Marie Vandewalle,Heidi Wittmer,Katalin Török,Rob Jongman,Stefan Schindler,Allan D Watt,Luis Santamaria,Ilse R Geijzendorffer,Jiska Van Dijk,Isabel Sousa Pinto,Christoph Görg

doi:10.1007/s10531-016-1127-5

Abstract

The absence of a good interface between scientific and other knowledge holders and decision-makers in the area of biodiversity and ecosystem services has been recognised for a long time. Despite recent advancements, e.g. with the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), challenges remain, particularly concerning the timely provision of consolidated views from different knowledge domains. To address this challenge, a strong and flexible networking approach is needed across knowledge domains and institutions. Here, we report on a broad consultation process across Europe to develop a Network of Knowledge on biodiversity and ecosystem services (NoK), an approach aiming at (1) organising institutions and knowledge holders in an adaptable and responsive framework and (2) informing decision-makers with timely and accurate biodiversity knowledge. The consultation provided a critical analysis of the needs that should be addressed by a NoK and how it could complement existing European initiatives and institutions at the interface between policy and science. Among other functions, the NoK provides consolidated scientific views on contested topics, identification of research gaps to support relevant policies, and horizon scanning activities to anticipate emerging issues. The NoK includes a capacity building component on interfacing activities and contains mechanisms to ensure its credibility, relevance and legitimacy. Such a network would need to ensure credibility, relevance and legitimacy of its work by maximizing transparency and flexibility of processes, quality of outputs, the link to data and knowledge provision, the motivation of experts for getting involved and sound communication and capacity building.

Highlights

Policy development related to biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation, management and use, requires availability of credible, timely and relevant scientific knowledge
To address the challenge of improving the SPI on biodiversity and ecosystem services, we developed the Network of Knowledge (NoK) approach to provide a better linkage and organisation of the knowledge-holder community to render it more capable to respond to knowledge needs from decision-making
The Network of Knowledge concept originated in the guidelines proposed by the European Platform for Biodiversity Research Strategy (EPBRS) of ‘‘bringing together existing organisations and processes in a flexible, responsive and broad-based way [...] helping to focus the support of science and scientists on the needs of those setting policy and taking decisions’’ through ‘‘temporary, ad hoc associations of diverse organisations to assemble and communicate knowledge adapted to the needs of clients’’ (EPBRS 2009)

Summary

Introduction

Policy development related to biodiversity and ecosystem services conservation, management and use, requires availability of credible, timely and relevant scientific knowledge. Such claims are based on the perception that policies and decision-making are sometimes not adequately informed by existing knowledge, or that the processes to make

Present Address

Methods and approach used

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Discussion