D1 Scientific advice, connection to REDIAM and transfer of knowledge with regard to the actions implemented in Doñana.
The aim of this action is to make sure all of the main actions implemented in Doñana meet the following three requirements:
(1) Sites must be selected, activities carried out and techniques applied in accordance with the best scientific knowledge available.
(2) All of the data generated by the main actions and the evaluation process must be integrated into the local information systems for each location and CMAOT’s own information system (REDIAM).
(3) The information that is generated must be analysed in order to evaluate the management actions and contribute to the decision-making process.
The aim is to make sure that the information and knowledge generated by the main actions is adequately stored, documented and analysed, in order to improve the process of making decisions that concern the environment. In order to meet this aim it is necessary to define a conceptual framework that combines the needs and capacities of the different actors that are taking part in this project.
More specifically, the coordination methodology used for this action will be based on:
- 1. Advice and review by the Doñana Biological Station (CSIC) of the main actions to be implemented in the Doñana natural area. The scientific personnel will be present during the process of selecting the sites where the activities will be carried out, and during the process of selecting the most suitable techniques.
- 2. Application of the methodological guidelines generated by action F2 to the local actions to be implemented in the Doñana natural area. Above all, this point refers to the criteria for generating information and to the selection of the variables that apply to the evaluation actions.
- 3. In order to ensure that the information generated by the actions implemented in the Doñana natural area are integrated into the local and regional information systems, suitably qualified personnel will be tasked with taking the existing digital information, documenting it and making it available to potential users. This part of the methodology is essential, given that collaboration between the protected natural areas and at regional level will largely take place via the exchanging of information. The personnel responsible for the information pertaining to the protected natural areas will also be responsible for integrating it into the local information systems and documenting it in accordance with the standards defined by action F2. They will also make all of the data collected available to the general information system (action C7) in the form of web services.
- 4. Putting in place the necessary coordination to ensure that the information generated in the Doñana natural area is integrated into and transferred to national information systems (LTER-Spain, ICP-Forests) and international information systems (LifeWatch, JRC, EFDAC, EFDS, FISE, LTER-Europe) in accordance with the terms specified in action C7.
- 5. This action will also incorporate a detailed analysis of the data collected after the implementation and evaluation of the actions in each protected natural area. These analyses will also take into account other sources of data (long time series) that help to explain the results obtained. These analyses will enable us to identify trends in the relevant ecological variables, relationships of cause-and-effect between abiotic and biotic factors, and more. In turn, the results of these analyses will be translated into new management measures that will feed back into the process of adaptive management.
- • The total estimated cost for this action is €121,139.
- • The partners involved in this action are the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency.
D2 Scientific advice, connection to REDIAM and transfer of knowledge with regard to the actions implemented in Cabo de Gata.
The aim of this action is to make sure all of the main actions implemented in Cabo de Gata meet the following three requirements:
(1) Sites must be selected, activities carried out and techniques applied in accordance with the best scientific knowledge available.
(2) All of the data generated by the main actions and the evaluation process must be integrated into the local information systems for each location and CMAOT’s own information system (REDIAM).
(3) The information that is generated must be analysed in order to evaluate the management actions and contribute to the decision-making process.
The aim is to make sure that the information and knowledge generated by the main actions is adequately stored, documented and analysed, in order to improve the process of making decisions that concern the environment. In order to meet this aim it is necessary to define a conceptual framework that combines the needs and capacities of the different parties that are taking part in this project.
More specifically, the coordination methodology used for this action will be based on:
- Advice and review by the University of Almería of the main actions to be implemented in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. The scientific personnel will be present during the process of selecting the sites where the activities will be carried out, and during the process of selecting the most suitable techniques.
- Application of the methodological guidelines generated by action F2 to the local actions to be implemented in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park. Above all, this point refers to the criteria for generating information and to the selection of the variables that apply to the evaluation actions.
- In order to ensure that the information generated by the actions implemented in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park are integrated into the local and regional information systems, suitably qualified personnel will be tasked with taking the existing digital information, documenting it and making it available to potential users. This part of the methodology is essential, given that collaboration between the protected natural areas and at regional level will largely take place via the exchanging of information. The personnel responsible for the information pertaining to the protected natural areas will also be responsible for integrating it into the local information systems and documenting it in accordance with the standards defined by action F2. They will also make all of the data collected available to the general information system (action C7) in the form of web services.
- Putting in place the necessary coordination to ensure that the information generated in the Cabo de Gata Natural Park is integrated into and transferred to national information systems (LTER-Spain, ICP-Forests) and international information systems (LifeWatch, JRC, EFDAC, EFDS, FISE, LTER-Europe) in accordance with the terms specified in action C7.
- This action will also incorporate a detailed analysis of the data collected after the implementation and evaluation of the actions in each protected natural area. These analyses will also take into account other sources of data (long time series) that help to explain the results obtained. These analyses will enable us to identify trends in the relevant ecological variables, relationships of cause-and-effect between abiotic and biotic factors, and more. In turn, the results of these analyses will be translated into new management measures that will feed back into the process of adaptive management.
- The total estimated cost for this action is €164,670.
- The partners involved in this action are the University of Almería and the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency.
D3 Scientific advice, connection to REDIAM and transfer of knowledge with regard to the actions implemented in the Sierra Nevada.
The aim of this action is to make sure all of the main actions implemented in the Sierra Nevada meet the following three requirements:
(1) Sites must be selected, activities carried out and techniques applied in accordance with the best scientific knowledge available.
(2) All of the data generated by the main actions and the evaluation process must be integrated into the local information systems for each location and CMAOT’s own information system (REDIAM).
(3) The information that is generated must be analysed in order to evaluate the management actions and contribute to the decision-making process.
The aim is to make sure that the information and knowledge generated by the main actions is adequately stored, documented and analysed, in order to improve the process of making decisions that concern the environment. In order to meet this aim it is necessary to define a conceptual framework that combines the needs and capacities of the different parties that are taking part in this project.
More specifically, the coordination methodology used for this action will be based on:
- Advice and review by the University of Granada of the main actions to be implemented in the Sierra Nevada natural area. The scientific personnel will be present during the process of selecting the sites where the activities will be carried out, and during the process of selecting the most suitable techniques.
- Application of the methodological guidelines generated by action F2 to the local actions to be implemented in the Sierra Nevada natural area. Above all, this point refers to the criteria for generating information and to the selection of the variables that apply to the evaluation actions.
- In order to ensure that the information generated by the actions implemented in the Sierra Nevada natural area are integrated into the local and regional information systems, suitably qualified personnel will be tasked with taking the existing digital information, documenting it and making it available to potential users. This part of the methodology is essential, given that collaboration between the protected natural areas and at regional level will largely take place via the exchanging of information. The personnel responsible for the information pertaining to the protected natural areas will also be responsible for integrating it into the local information systems and documenting it in accordance with the standards defined by action F2. They will also make all of the data collected available to the general information system (action C7) in the form of web services.
- Putting in place the necessary coordination to ensure that the information generated in the Sierra Nevada natural area is integrated into and transferred to national information systems (LTER-Spain, ICP-Forests) and international information systems (LifeWatch, JRC, EFDAC, EFDS, FISE, LTER-Europe) in accordance with the terms specified in action C7.
- This action will also incorporate a detailed analysis of the data collected after the implementation and evaluation of the actions in each protected natural area. These analyses will also take into account other sources of data (long time series) that help to explain the results obtained. These analyses will enable us to identify trends in the relevant ecological variables, relationships of cause-and-effect between abiotic and biotic factors, and more. In turn, the results of these analyses will be translated into new management measures that will feed back into the process of adaptive management.
- The total estimated cost for this action is €121,139.
- The partners involved in this action are the University of Granada and the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency.
D4 Monitoring and evaluation of the impact of the actions related to local outreach, governance, and the final project conference.
The following two mechanisms are proposed with regard to the monitoring of actions E2 (local outreach), E5 (final project conference) and E10 (governance):
a) Creation of evaluation forms intended for the target participants of action E2 and the Euro-Mediterranean Conference (action E5). To achieve this, an evaluation form will be created in accordance with the monitoring and evaluation guidelines stipulated in the LIFE Regulation. The form will be designed to evaluate the level of awareness in the key social and institutional sectors at the start of the project, and how their awareness evolves over the course of the project as a result of the actions related to divulgation and the rest of the project actions.
b) Additionally, perception surveys will be drawn up for the participants from the participatory bodies pertaining to the protected natural areas (see action E10). These surveys will assess the participants’ knowledge of climate change issues and their perception of the need to implement measures and strategies to adapt to climate change. The surveys will be conducted after the aforementioned subgroups have been formally established and at the end of the project, in order to be able to compare the results and the changes in perception and knowledge.
- The total estimated cost for this action is €3,900.
- The only partner involved in this action is the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.
D5 Monitoring and evaluation of volunteering and environmental education activities.
The aim of this action is to monitor and evaluate the environmental education activities with regard to adaptation to climate change (action E3) and environmental volunteering (action E4). The ultimate aim is for the outcomes of this action to play a key role in improving professional practice and the training of monitors and educational teams (in the areas of environmental education and volunteering), with specific regard to educating people on the subject of adaptation to climate change and the protection of ecosystem services. The activities and programmes that form part of actions E3 and E4 will be evaluated at two different levels:
(1) The impact of the implementation of actions E3 and E4 on the target audiences will be evaluated using surveys, to be completed before the activity (thus acting as a control group) and afterwards.
(2) The impact of the volunteering activities on the environmental problems tackled via the adaptive management measures provided for in the LIFE Adaptamed project will be evaluated by measuring the effect of the volunteers’ efforts on the specific tasks they are involved in: monitoring indicators, installing nesting boxes for birds and refuges for bats, etc. Each task will be evaluated separately, thereby making it possible to analyse the role played by the volunteers in accordance with the profile of the task in question.
Monitoring will be performed in parallel while the activities are carried out, and the final evaluation report on the impact of actions E3 and E4 will be completed before the first quarter of 2020.
- • The total estimated cost for this action is €1,000.
- • The only partner involved in this action is the Andalusian Ministry of the Environment and Planning.
D6 Monitoring and evaluation of divulgation actions: Window on Science, Meet the Scientists and Managers, and Travelling Exhibition.
The Department of Education and Activities at the Science Park will design a public survey aimed at evaluating the impact of the “Window on Science” (E6) and “Meet the Scientists and Managers” (E8) actions on the public.
The monitors responsible for the space in question will hand out and collect the surveys, which will be aimed at the target participants for the action. After the exhibition has ended, the survey responses will be analysed and the results presented.
The focus group (FG) technique is a qualitative research method that is used in the political and social sciences, and will be employed in this instance to evaluate action E7 (Travelling Exhibition) and as a complementary method for evaluating actions E6 and E8. This method makes it possible to analyse the ideas, values, interests and concerns of the participants in depth, while at the same stimulating the process of shared creative thought. One of the advantages of this method is that it enables the participants to construct their responses while incorporating the opinions of the rest of the group members. The FG will comprise 10 or 12 members plus a moderator and assistant. The group can be homogeneous or heterogeneous, in line with the level of knowledge and experience of the subject at hand.
During the FG session, the participants will carry out individual, subgroup and full-group exercises that are designed to facilitate the evaluation process. The moderator and assistant will take notes to help them interpret the data obtained and prepare the corresponding report. Two FG sessions will be held: one at the start of the project, to analyse the participants’ starting point; and another at the end of the project, to observe the influence the various activities have had on public perception of the subject matter.
The same planning process will be followed for each session:
– Designing the script for the discussion: to this end, a series of interviews will be conducted with the Project Director and Project Coordinator, who will provide the information (documents, bibliography, etc.) necessary to tackle the various aspects of the subject in the FG session.
– Selecting the participants for the Focus Groups.
– The Science Park website will offer visitors the chance to take part in this activity and inform them of the requirements (e.g. a commitment to take part in both sessions, consent forms for the use of their image and comments, etc.).
– Preparing the venue.
– Conducting the FG session. Two of the project’s technical personnel will take on the roles of moderator and assistant for the duration of the activity. The Technology Officer must also be available while the session is taking place in order to be able to deal with any technical incidents.
– The discussion will be recorded in its entirety, in order to facilitate the analysis of the results.
– Analysing the results: The technical personnel will review the recordings in order to gather the information provided by the individual, subgroup and full-group activities that take place during the session, and prepare a report detailing the results.
– Once the two FG sessions have taken place, the results can be compared. This comparison will constitute one of the parameters that enables us to evaluate the impact of the different activities that take place at the Science Park within the framework of this project.
- • The total estimated cost for this action is €41,033.
- • The only partner involved in this action is the Science Park.
D7 Evaluation of the results of the main actions, using indicators of ecosystem functions obtained via remote sensing and field radiometry.
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D8 Field monitoring of main actions C1 to C6.
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D9 Socio-economic study of the impact of the project on the local economy and population.
The aim of this action is to quantify the impact of the project on the local economy and population. It will also incorporate a pilot study on the economic value of ecosystem services. Evaluating and quantifying the socio-economic impact of a project such as this is a complex undertaking. It is even more complex if we consider that the actions implemented in the field will take a number of years to produce changes in the functioning of the ecosystem and in the ecosystem services. The aim of this action is to carry out the aforementioned quantitative evaluation based on the data provided by the partners following the implementation of the main actions.
The socio-economic impact of the project will be analysed by carrying out a quantitative and qualitative evaluation in relation to a series of different dimensions. Each dimension will be measured using a set of performance indicators. The evaluation will be carried out during the final stage of the project, and at the scale of the specific location where the action was implemented. It will comprise an assessment of the social dimension, the economic dimension, and the dimension related to ecosystem services. The latter will also make use of a pilot study to analyse the economic value of ecosystem services.
- 1. Social dimension: This includes a series of aspects that will help us to understand the social impact of the main actions of the project. Specifically, these aspects concern the impact that the activities have had on the local areas.
A.1. Percentage of the population of each municipality that is aware of the activities carried out as part of the project. This information will be gathered via telephone survey.
A.2. Has the project helped to increase the population’s sense of belonging to the protected area? This information will also be gathered via telephone survey.
- 1. Economic dimension: Here, we will consider those variables that explain the extent to which the economic resources allocated to the project have reached the local area through the main actions. This will enable us to quantify, in the short term, the economic impact of the project’s implementation.
B.1. Number of working days dedicated to the project on the part of unemployed locals. This indicator will give an idea of the local impact of the adaptive actions in the project’s target ecosystems.
B.2. Indirect costs incurred by the project. While the main actions are being implemented, payments will be made for meals, overnight stays and other activities. These costs will be quantified by surveying the personnel involved.
The aforementioned indicators will provide an approximate idea of the short-term socio-economic impact of the project. However, it would also be very useful to quantify this impact a number of years after the actions were implemented. To do this, we propose a pilot study that will assign an economic value to a particular ecosystem service. Assigning an economic value to services is a fascinating albeit scientifically controversial discipline. There are a great many methods and it is not easy to reach a consensus on the most suitable approach. For this reason, we will select a number of ecosystem services that fall within the category of supply, and assign them an economic value after the main actions of the project have been implemented. The final selection of these services will be made during the implementation of preparatory actions A9 and A10. These actions will allow us to implement a system to monitor the impact of the main actions on a number of different ecosystem services. While this is being done, we will quantify a number of services that may potentially be affected by the project. Some of them will also be assigned an economic value.
The total estimated cost for this action is €7,540.
The partners involved in this action are the University of Granada and the Andalusian Environment and Water Agency.