Papers by Christian Schleyer
With regard to agri-environmental schemes under Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 in Europe a rather ... more With regard to agri-environmental schemes under Regulation (EC) No. 1257/1999 in Europe a rather divers uptake as well as a lack of effectiveness and efficiency of these current schemes can be observed. In contrast to most of the related literature, we suggest that the ineffectiveness and inefficiency is inherent to the way those schemes are currently institutionalised in the framework of European agricultural policies. The paper draws on experiences made within the GRANO research project on Approaches for Sustainable Agricultural Production in Northeast Germany. Among other sub-projects, round tables, so-called Agri-Environmental Forums (AEF), were installed in two districts in Brandenburg to integrate local actors directly into the process of designing and implementing local agri-environmental schemes in order to improve their economic and ecological efficiency. While the participants were successful in designing such local scheme, it did not become part of the Rural Development P...
With regard to agri-environmental schemes (AES) under Regulation (EC) 1257/99, we suggest that th... more With regard to agri-environmental schemes (AES) under Regulation (EC) 1257/99, we suggest that their ineffectiveness, inefficiency, and divers uptake is inherent to the way they are institutionalised in the European CAP framework. Based on experiences of the GRANO research project that initiated two Agri-Environmental Forums in Brandenburg (Germany) to integrate local actors directly into designing and implementing local AES we argue that the process of designing AES can be conceptualised as a complex negotiation process at Laender level. The related institutional settings shape possible outcomes and scheme designs. With only "passive support" for decentralised and participatory approaches yet compulsory complex bureaucratic procedures on part of the EU, there are no incentives for Laender administrations to actively support those approaches.
The MIT Press eBooks, Oct 9, 2018
Ecosystem services, Feb 1, 2018
The aim of this paper is to identify the role of conceptual frameworks in operationalising and ma... more The aim of this paper is to identify the role of conceptual frameworks in operationalising and mainstreaming the idea of ecosystem services. It builds on some initial discussions from IPBES, which suggested that conceptual frameworks could be used to: 'simplify thinking', 'structure work', 'clarify issues', and 'provide a common reference point'. The analysis uses the cascade model as a focus and looks at the way it has been used in recent published material and across a set of case studies from the EUfunded OpenNESS Project as a device for conceptual framing. It found that there are examples in the literature that show the cascade model indeed being used as an 'organising framework', a tool for 'reframing' perspectives, an 'analytical template', and as an 'application framework'. Although the published materials on the cascade are rich, these accounts lack insights into the process by which the different versions of the model were created, and so we turned to the set of OpenNESS case studies to examine how they read the cascade. We found that the cascade was able to provide a common reference for a diverse set of studies, and that it was sufficiently flexible for it to be developed and elaborated in ways that were meaningful for the different place-based studies. The case studies showed that generalised models like the cascade can have an important 'awareness-raising' role. However, we found that using models of this kind it was more difficult for case studies to link their work to broader societal issues such as human well-being, sustainable ecosystem management, governance, and competitiveness, than to their own concerns. We therefore conclude that to be used effectively, conceptual models like the cascade may need to be supported by other materials that help users read it in different, outward looking ways. We also need to find mechanisms for capturing this experience so that it can be shared with others.
Journal of Environmental Policy & Planning, Dec 1, 2009
International Journal of Water Resources Development, May 6, 2022
In Deutschland kommt es zu Zielkonflikten zwischen Wildtiermanagement und Landwirtschaft, die sic... more In Deutschland kommt es zu Zielkonflikten zwischen Wildtiermanagement und Landwirtschaft, die sich an den Beispielen Wolf und Schwarzwild festmachen lassen. Die Ruckkehr des Wolfes in die deutsche Landschaft wird aus Gesichtspunkten des Naturschutzes begrust, fuhrt aber bei Weidehaltern zu erheblichen Verunsicherungen. Aus Grunden des Artenschutzes geniest der Wolf einen hohen Schutzstatus. Das Wildschwein hingegen wird intensiv bejagt, es wird dennoch deutlich, dass das Management dieser Art erhebliche Schwierigkeiten mit sich bringt. Die grose Wildschweinpopulation fuhrt zu Schaden an Feldpflanzen und nahrt die Gefahr der Verbreitung von Seuchen. In dem Workshop soll zunachst mit der Methode Rollenspiel die Problematik aufgezeigt und verschiedene Perspektiven verdeutlicht werden. In einem Expertengesprach wird im nachsten Schritt die Thematik vertieft.
Understanding stakeholders and stakeholder constellations is essential for governing FES sustaina... more Understanding stakeholders and stakeholder constellations is essential for governing FES sustainably and for fostering the identification and development of respective governance innovations. InnoForESt aims for an integrated approach to knowledge generation, stakeholder inter-action, and triggering governance innovation. Thus, identifying, mapping, and integrating a diversity of stakeholders’ knowledge, interests, visions, and concerns, including civil society perceptions, user demands, facilitators’ suggestions, and how stakeholders are interlinked is crucial for keeping the InnoForESt innovation action as compatible as possible with stakeholders’ perspectives. The assessment of the stakeholders’ key orientations regarding FES governance innovation is essential for fostering the co-production of the innovation networks and prototypes. More precisely, stakeholder analysis in the context of InnoForESt has the purpose of (1) identifying, organizing, and sharing the available, but unstructured or implicit knowledge about stakeholders, (2) identifying stakeholder-related knowledge gaps and, based on this, (3) gathering new stakeholder information relevant for fostering the innovation processes in the respective case studies, and (4) allowing for cross-case study analysis and for developing stake-holder typologies.
contact with nature induces many different feelings, both positive and negative. on the negative ... more contact with nature induces many different feelings, both positive and negative. on the negative side, people can suffer from allergies from flowering plants, many insect species can cause physical harm or spread disease (lyytimäki and sipilä, 2009) and some parks in cities can hide social dangers (Bixler and Floyd, 1997). alternatively, when people are asked to close their eyes and think of something positive, they often see meadows and oceans, trees and dolphins. connections between forests and timber production, as well as fish populations and food security, are widely understood. However, few people know, for example, that having close contact with the natural environment raises your immunological tolerance against inflammatory diseases such as allergies and cancer (Hanski et al., 2012). in wider society, the links between the structures and processes of nature, and between natural capital and the ecosystem services essential for human well-being, are often poorly understood. the structures and processes linked with natural capital can be explained in many ways. in our work, ecosystem services and their operationalisation are the bridge from natural capital to human well-being. We base our conclusions on research carried out in the Eu-funded opennEss project (1), and suggest a five-step path for better understanding of how natural capital and the ecosystem services that flow from it are important to human well-being. Finally, we emphasise the role of natural capital in finding innovative solutions to environmental problems and societal challenges in the form of nature-based solutions (nBs), which build on, and contribute to, the transition towards a bio- and circular economy. understanding natural capital and ecosystem services provides the basis for thriving cultural capital in its broad meaning, by strengthening society’s ability to make wise decisions concerning our relationship with natural capital.publishedVersio
Berichte über Landwirtschaft : Zeitschrift für Agrarpolitik und Landwirtschaft, 2008
HAL (Le Centre pour la Communication Scientifique Directe), 2007
This Project Deliverable (PD) encompasses work done within the Activities 6.4.5 (Integration and ... more This Project Deliverable (PD) encompasses work done within the Activities 6.4.5 (Integration and Evaluation of the Procedure for Institutional Compatibility Assessment (PICA) in SEAMLESS-IF) and 6.5.5 (Feedback and contribution to the improvement of the Procedure for Institutional Compatibility Assessment) in the first half of 2007. PICA has been developed in WP 2 as a formalised methodology to assess ex-ante the compatibility between policy options and different institutional contexts. This PD is a joint production of the members of the PICA Tool Task Force working at Humboldt-University of Berlin (UBER) and Cemagref in Clermont-Ferrand (Cemagref). In Activity 6.4.5, Testing PICA - that is supervised and carried out mainly by the Cemagref team - is one of the main objectives. For this, PICA is applied to the implementation of the policy option EU Nitrate Directive' in two study areas in the Auvergne in France: the departements Allier and Puy-de-Dome. While in Allier the Nitrate Directive has been implemented through the definition of a vulnerable zone in 1994, the policy is not implemented in Puy-de-Dome yet; however, implementation is currently under discussion. Three different empirical analyses are conducted for testing PICA: In Allier, first, a simulation' of running PICA before the actual implementation of the Nitrate Directive that started in 1993 is carried out as well as, second, an ex-post evaluation of the implementation process and its results and effects. The comparison between the results of the ex-ante simulation' and the ex-post evaluation allows for validating the PICA results. In Puy-de-Dome, third, the procedure is applied to the hypothetical implementation of the Nitrate Directive in the departement, i.e., in a real' ex-ante situation. The comparison of both ex-ante' assessments sheds light on the ability of PICA to account for potential (crucial) similarities and differences in the institutional contexts of both study areas. In this PD, the methodological concept and the results of Testing PICA Step 1 and 2 (Testing Phase One) are presented. / Ce rapport porte sur les travaux realises au sein des Activites 6.4.5. (Integration et evaluation de la methode d'analyse de la compatibilite institutionnelle (PICA)dans SEAMLESS-IF) et 6.5.5.(Contribution au developpement de la methode d'analyse de la compatibilite institutionnelle (PICA))durant le premier semestre 2007. PICA a ete developpe au sein du WP2 comme une methode formalisee d'evaluation ex-ante de la compatibilite entre une politique et differents contextes institutionnels. Au sein de l'activite 6.4.5., le test de PICA - mene a bien par l'equipe du Cemagref - est l'un des principaux objectifs. Dans ce cadre, PICA est applique a la mise en oeuvre de la Directive Nitrate dans deux zones d'etude en Auvergne: les departements de l'Allier et du Puy-de-Dome. Alors que dans l'Allier, la Directive Nitrate est mise en oeuvre depuis 1994, cette politique n'est pas encore mise en oeuvre dans le Puy-de-Dome; cependant, une zone vulnerable a ete definie a l'ete 2007. Trois differentes analyses empiriques ont ete realisees pour le test de PICA. Dans l'Allier, une simulation' la l'application de PICA avant la mise en oeuvre effective de la Directive Nitrate qui a debute en 1993 a ete menee a bien ainsi qu'une evaluation ex-post du processus de mise en oeuvre, ses resultats et ses effets. La comparaison entre les resultats de la simulation' ex-ante et de l'evaluation ex-post permet de valider les resultats de PICA. Dans le Puy-de-Dome, la procedure est appliquee a la future mise en oeuvre de la Directive Nitrate dans le departement, c'est a dire, en conditions ex-ante reelles. La comparaison des deux evaluations ex-ante permet d'evaluer dans quelle mesure PICA peut prendre en compte les similitudes et differences potentielles des contextes institutionnels dans les deux zones d'etude. Dans ce PD, la methodologie et les resultats du test des etapes 1 et 2 de PICA sont presentes.
eco.mont-Journal on Protected Mountain Areas Research and Management, 2022
This article examines the influence of Biosphere Reserves' (BRs) communication strategies on regi... more This article examines the influence of Biosphere Reserves' (BRs) communication strategies on regional governance processes. We conducted semi-structured interviews with regional stakeholders in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserves Engiadina Val Müstair (Switzerland) and Schwäbische Alb (Germany), and evaluated the influence of the BRs' communication strategies on regional communication structures. Our findings show that BRs can take on the role of mediators of vested interests within regional governance. In order to achieve this goal, BR managers would be advised to adopt a comprehensive communication strategy, i. e. comprising the aspects of information, participation, coordination and cooperation. This, however, is directly dependent on the BRs' financial and human resources. Research
Ecosystem services, Dec 1, 2015
Mainstreaming the ecosystem services (ES) concept in EU policy making, i.e. introducing it in a v... more Mainstreaming the ecosystem services (ES) concept in EU policy making, i.e. introducing it in a variety of policy fields, comes along with great expectations from practitioners, policy makers, and scientists alike to improve environmental policy and halt the loss of biodiversity. Indeed, ES related governance tools feature prominently in new policies such as the Biodiversity Strategy 2020 and the Green Infrastructure Strategy. For most EU policy processes outside the environmental domain, however, mainstreaming the ES concept has only just begun. Yet, policies like the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) very often have tremendous impacts on many Social-Ecological Systems (SES) throughout Europe. This is even more true for the multitude of national and regional policies in the EU. This indicates, among others, that an effective mainstreaming of the ES concept in policiesenvironmental or other-faces substantial challenges in both conceptual terms (e.g., lack of understanding of the concept) and in governance issues (e.g., induced by the multi-level system of policy making in the EU). This article addresses two major challenges: First, the multi-level policy making on ES within the EU requires both vertical and horizontal policy integration. The horizontal policy integration is concerned with the interplay of different policy sectors, such as agriculture, regional, and environmental policy, which all affect SES in different and sometimes conflicting ways. The vertical policy integration refers to the need to consider the interplay of different levels of decision making (supranational, national, or subnational) and associated competencies or authorities. Second, given that different actors at different levels in the policy system have different cultural perceptions, values, and socioeconomic interestswith respect to objectives and instruments as well as different power resources to pursue them-, it seems important to achieve inclusivity in the policy process through participatory approaches. The conceptual opportunities and challenges discussed here will be illustrated and made explicit by using selected EU regulatory frameworks, such as the CAP, as examples and considering questions like: What are the potential effects of mainstreaming with respect to synergies and trade-offs or conflicting objectives between those policies? Do the benefits justify the costs of mainstreaming? What are obstacles hampering mainstreaming the ES concept; and how can they be mitigated? The article is based on several research projects, in particular the EU-FP7 OpenNESS project, and will, among others, draw on the results of a recent stakeholder workshop with EU policy makers from a broad range of Directorates General.
In many reclaimed areas the long-standing and intensive arable farming of drained land has led to... more In many reclaimed areas the long-standing and intensive arable farming of drained land has led to an increasing, nearly irreversible degradation of soil in many European regions. The drastic changes after the breakdown of the socialist regimes in Central and East European countries, such as changes in effective property rights on land and reclamation infrastructure, a complete restructuring of water administrations, and the emergence of increasing heterogeneous stakeholder objectives, have worsened the situation and even added new problems. The visible consequences are droughts in the summer and waterlogged plots in the spring caused by neglecting the cleaning and maintenance of open or subsurface ditches and/or by dilapidated water management facilities operating in an uncoordinated or even unauthorized way. This chapter explores possible approaches to manage water and water (reclamation) infrastructure in reclaimed agricultural areas in transition countries based on two examples from East Germany (Schraden) and northwest Poland (Pyrzyce). In particular, the role of institutional and organizational changes in water management as well as of changes in stakeholder interests with respect to managing groundwater tables is examined.
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Papers by Christian Schleyer