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Using cognitive mapping to understand conservation planning
Kelly Biedenweg1, David Trimbach1, Jackie Delie1
1Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, 104 Nash Hall, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, 97331, U.S.A.
Summary
Cognitive mapping reveals how conservation policymakers think. Understanding their mental models, like prioritizing property rights over diverse interests, helps integrate social data effectively into planning.
Area of Science:
- Conservation planning
- Environmental psychology
- Social-ecological systems
Background:
- Cognitive mapping is a tool used by cognitive psychologists to understand mental models.
- This method has been applied to various conservation and resource management issues globally.
- A generalized cognitive mapping process involves design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation phases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To apply cognitive mapping to understand the mental models of policymakers involved in shoreline master planning.
- To investigate how social data is integrated into conservation decisions.
- To assess the utility of cognitive mapping in conservation planning contexts.
Main Methods:
- A cognitive mapping approach was used to elicit mental models from 14 policymakers and managers in Washington State.
- Participants identified factors considered in shoreline master planning.
- Researchers coded factors into mental-model objects and analyzed frequency and co-occurrence.
Main Results:
- Policymakers' mental models prioritized tribal and private property rights.
- Despite this focus, existing social data indicated broader interests in timber harvesting, tourism, and agriculture.
- Understanding these mental models facilitated more effective presentation of social data.
Conclusions:
- Cognitive mapping is valuable for understanding the cognitive processes influencing conservation planning.
- It helps bridge the gap between scientific data and policy decision-making.
- The method can be adapted to diverse conservation planning contexts to improve decision-making.
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