Research approach
The project is improving the training of biodiversity consultants in Bavaria. The focus is on how to encourage landowners such as farmers, municipalities and forest owners – to participate in the biotope network. To this end, ISOE is investigating their attitudes, values, motivations, and approaches to nature conservation. The aim is to gain a better understanding of the different living environments of these target groups and to develop specific points of contact for consulting. On this basis, conversation guidelines and training courses are being developed in collaboration with the relevant biodiversity consultants, which will be incorporated into the training program of the Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management (ANL). This will enable biodiversity consultants to respond precisely to the needs and motivations of their conversation partners. A key basis for this is the segmentation of landowners. This reveals the motives, barriers, and values that play a role in the decision to include land in the biotope network.
Background
The biotope network is a key instrument of nature conservation. The aim is to link at least 10 percent of open land nationwide – i.e., landscapes that are not forested – via a network of high-quality habitats. Bavaria has set itself particularly ambitious targets: By 2030, 15 percent of open land is to be incorporated into the biotope network. This networking promotes genetic exchange between animal and plant populations. At the same time, the biotope network helps to halt the loss of biological diversity and strengthen the resilience of ecosystems to climate change and other environmental changes. The expansion of the biotope network is legally enshrined in Bavarian nature conservation law. However, its implementation requires the active participation of many stakeholders, especially landowners. To win them over to nature conservation, biodiversity consultation services have been set up in Bavaria. They consult landowners on the implementation of species protection measures and on questions relating to support programs, and provide technical assistance for the expansion of the biotope network. The advisors are trained by the Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management (ANL). Despite this offer, the development of new biotope areas remains a challenge. It is difficult to get additional landowners to participate. This is where the project comes in: the training of biodiversity consultants is to be further developed to provide consultationthat is not only based on nature conservation expertise, but also addresses the individual motivations, needs, and attitudes of landowners.
Funding/client
The project “Promoting biotope networks in Bavaria – an analysis of stakeholders” is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection (StMUV). The client is the Bavarian Academy for Nature Conservation and Landscape Management (ANL).
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