Challenges of linking scientific knowledge to river basin management policy: AquaTerra as a case study

Slob, A. F. L., Rijnveld, M., Chapman, A. S. and Strosser, P. (2007) Challenges of linking scientific knowledge to river basin management policy: AquaTerra as a case study. Environmental Pollution, 148 (3). pp. 867-874. ISSN 0269-7491 doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2007.01.048

Abstract/Summary

The EU Project AquaTerra generates knowledge about the river-soil-sediment-groundwater system and delivers scientific information of value for river basin management. In this article, the use and ignorance of scientific knowledge in decision making is explored by a theoretical review. We elaborate on the 'two-communities theory', which explains the problems of the policy-science interface by relating and comparing the different cultures, contexts, and languages of researchers and policy makers. Within AquaTerra, the EUPOL subproject examines the policy-science interface with the aim of achieving a good connection between the scientific output of the project and EU policies. We have found two major barriers, namely language and resources, as well as two types of relevant relationships: those between different research communities and those between researchers and policy makers. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.