Resource description:
This 4-page briefing summarises the main challenges and implications for improving policy-driven monitoring and evaluation. Much attention and resources are dedicated to fulfilling the requirements and guidelines of environmental policies. An interdisciplinary pan-European team studied the implementation of the Natura2000 Directives, the Water Framework Directive and the Agri-Environment Programmes with the Common Agricultural Policy in 9 countries across Europe.
These policies strongly shape what is monitored and provide useful information on state and trends in the environment; however, we found adjustments could allow these monitoring programmes to better support adaptive management. Rebalancing is needed to focus and enable those making decisions about managing the environment, such as the management groups of protected areas. The findings are relevant across Europe and also beyond.
Author/Contact:
Dr Kerry Waylen, at the Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences Group, The James Hutton Institute (http://www.hutton.ac.uk/staff/kerry-waylen
Advantages:
- Explains why monitoring and evaluation is important, and the effects of policies
- Summarises key challenges and imbalances in current monitoring programmes
- Highlights ideas for improving mointoring and evaluation to support adaptive management
Uses of this resource:
This product is designed to be relevant to anyone connected with commissioning and using information from official monitoring programmes connected with environmental policies. It is especially relevant for those who may design or adjust those programmes.
Additional information:
The MEEM project partners (contacts listed at the back of the briefing) are available to discuss the specific situation and implications in their regions (Catalonia, Estonia, Finland, Flanders, Hungary, Slovakia, Sweden, Sweden, Scotland).
Licence:
- Free, no licence
Accessibility:
- Screen reader compliant
Development stage:
- Full, working product