To each participatory sciences. Conditions for a participatory biodiversity observatory at the Arcachon Bay Cover Image

A chacun ses sciences participatives. Les conditions d'un observatoire participatif de la biodiversité sur le Bassin d'Arcachon
To each participatory sciences. Conditions for a participatory biodiversity observatory at the Arcachon Bay

Author(s): Maja Larsen, Bruno Bouet, Denis Salles, Benoit SAUTOUR
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: ESSACHESS
Keywords: contested conceptions of citizen science; biodiversity management renewal; public participation; science society interactions

Summary/Abstract: This paper considers the social and scientific requirements for a citizen science monitoring programme on biodiversity in Arcachon Bay (France). The sociological sudy reveals tensions between different conceptions of what a citizen science programme should be: a means for storing oriented-data; a new way to co-create scientific knowledge; a political communication tool; a way to develop citizen stewardship; or a place for expressing activist environmental demands. Citizen science programmes also tend to reveal tensions between participatory governance and classical management of environmental issues. Despite a seeming consensus amongst actors on biodiversity conservation, in practice contests over different citizen science conceptions have the potential to re-define environmental issues, to re-specify relationships between science and society and outline new management priorities.

  • Issue Year: VII/2014
  • Issue No: 02
  • Page Range: 93-106
  • Page Count: 13
  • Language: French
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