Using Imperfect Longitudinal Social Science Data for Sound Protected Area Management and Governance

Abstract

Information about the intensity, direction and degree of change of park users’ perceptions of protected areas (PAs) over time offers insights about their relevance to those visitors and can inform elements of good governance and management. The resident surveys data collected in 1992, 1998, 2005 and 2017 by Regional Parks of the Capital Regional District of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, show how imperfect longitudinal social science information helped park managers identify trends, patterns and key areas of public support, thus set robust and effective priorities, policies and strategies for the regional park system. Collecting data where all information relevant to a decision is known and available is often beyond the ability of practitioners. We offer insights on how to best use imperfect longitudinal social science data and help practitioners consider what is necessary to support sounds decision-making for PAs management and governance.

Implications of Rehabilitation

• Understanding the social dimensions and processes affecting PAs governance and management through longitudinal social science data helps set more robust and effective priorities, policies, actions and outcomes;

• Establishing longitudinal social science data should be a basic research requisite when developing PA conservation and environmental management strategies, even when the dataset obtained are not always complete or perfectly comparable;

• Imperfect data, when providing longitudinal information that allow to identify trends, patterns and key areas to focus on, can support sound decision making for PAs;

• We suggest practitioners consider what they really need to support decision-making, acknowledge the imperfections of their data and consider that some level of uncertainty exists, even with “perfect” data.

Keywords:

• Canada
• longitudinal research
• protected area
• social science
• survey

Acknowledgment

We are grateful to the CRD for the information and their support in the writing of this paper. We also acknowledge the resources provided by the University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies and Lakehead University and its School of Outdoor Recreation, Parks and Tourism.