A new conceptual model for ecological data communication in the context of spatial planning and policy

Abstract

The global loss of biodiversity and natural capital, driven by land use change, poses a risk for vital ecosystem services, such as air and water filtration, food provisioning, and wellbeing. Ecosystem accounting is a framework for documenting ecosystem extent, condition and the services which they produce. Questions remain about the way in which this new framework can be implemented and utilised in spatial planning. Using Norway as a case study, we perform a requirements analysis of its current spatial planning system, drawing on qualitative data from planning professionals and planning policy documents, to understand the contemporary problems within planning related to the use of ecological data. Ecological data is currently produced to adhere to the knowledge deficit model of decision making, whereby more data and knowledge lead to better decisions. However, our current communicative planning system relies on participation for knowledge gathering, which becomes an issue when the scope, communication method, and timing of communication are barriers to knowledge being used in a decision. We therefore propose a new theoretical model, PRISM, based on the analogy of a prism, as its purpose is to break ecological data up to meet the diverse objectives of, and thus engage with, as many actors as possible. The analogy is derived from the finding that ecological data and knowledge constitutes only one band in the spectrum of considerations and knowledge used in decisions. Framing is proposed as the method to achieve this effect with ecosystem accounting data, thereby activating participation to meet policy and actor objectives.