NormA – Normative Conflicts in the Field of Biodiversity

Research approach

The aim of the project is to achieve a deeper understanding of conflict potentials and dynamics related to the use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. The first step will be to develop a research concept that comprises a typology of relevant conflicts, for example competitions between different stakeholder groups with regard to the utilization of natural resources or conflicts of objectives and interests between the preservation of biodiversity and the societal use of ecosystem services. In a second step and based on that, a concept for the operationalization of the empirical study will be developed. With the help of case studies from current research projects of SBiK-F, exemplary normative conflict constellations and entry points for conflict management shall be investigated. Possible case studies are conflicts arising in the context of recurrence of the wolf in Germany or conflicts occurring over the priorities of sustainable water resources management with respect to the renaturation of water bodies.

Background

The social-ecological research is focusing on the investigation of complex dynamics of use that emerge from a societal use of biodiversity and ecosystem services. Through the interaction of natural and societal processes and structures, these dynamics of use are always defined by norms and are thus potentially shaped by conflicts. Examples are contradicting values and ideas of different social groups about a “good life”, disputes over an equitable access to resources and the distribution thereof as well as conflicts over adequate regulations for the sustainable use of biodiversity.

Project partners

• Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN), Frankfurt am Main (lead)
• Goethe-University of Frankfurt am Main

Financing

• Senckenberg Gesellschaft für Naturforschung (SGN)
• Own project of ISOE

The research project is part of the cooperation with the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Centre (SBiK-F). Within SBiK-F interdependencies between shifts in biodiversity and climate change are being investigated. ISOE is a founding partner of the research centre and coordinates the focal field of “Ecosystem Services and Climate”.