Improving habitat connectivity for biodiversity conservation: The benefits of co-creation with conservation practitioners

Successful implementation of biodiversity measures, and thus, effective biodiversity protection, hinges upon coordination between researchers and conservation practitioners. However, because of a disconnect between these two groups, reaching conservation targets often falls short. Although researchers and practitioners share similar goals, they hold diverse perspectives, values, and experiences. Knowledge synthesis and research-practice co-creation is therefore a useful approach for bridging the so-called “evidence-implementation gap”. This approach brings researchers and practitioners into direct dialogue for knowledge exchange at all project stages, including problem framing, content development, and dissemination of synthesis products.

We present a case example of a co-creative process between biodiversity researchers and conservation practitioners in Switzerland, with the goal of developing synthesis products on the topic of improving habitat connectivity. Habitat fragmentation is a major threat to biodiversity in Switzerland, and the scientific literature is rich with studies describing its consequences. However, direct, actionable implementation advice is often not included in these studies or is at best only implied. Additionally, the topic is of particular importance to Swiss conservation practitioners because of its relevance to government-mandated Ecological Infrastructure planning. In a working group comprised of practitioners and researchers, we synthesized the scientific literature with the goal of summarizing best practices and advice for implementation of solutions to habitat connectivity barriers. In a companion report, we compiled a practitioner guide to habitat connectivity planning using spatial modeling software and an accompanying dataset on dispersal distances for dozens of indicator species. We found several examples where implementation-relevant information could be gleaned from the scientific literature, and we propose a framework for researchers to increase the practical applicability of their findings. We also highlight challenges brought on by the co-creative process, namely: how to promote an inclusive process while avoiding stakeholder fatigue, how to incorporate divergent perspectives and feedback, and issues brought on by coordination across multiple institutions.