Participatory landscape ecology – A basis for acceptance and implementation

Until recently, participation by local actors (decision-makers, lobbyists, farmers or representatives of various interest groups) played little or no role in landscape ecology and planning in Germany. Research in southern Germany between 1990 and 1996 and other more recent studies demonstrate how a lack of communication between scientists, planners, administrators and local stakeholders hinder acceptance and implementation of landscape planning projects. As part of practically-oriented research project, measures to improve communication were applied in several communities and the effects measured over several years. Participatory and communicative methods such as round tables, workshops, marketing of regional products and information campaigns caused significant acceleration of the implementation, suggesting that landscape ecology can be holistic only if public awareness and participation play an equal role with the expert views of natural scientists and planners.