Post-normal conservation science fills the space between research, policy, and implementation

Abstract

The view that conservation is a linear exchange of knowledge between scientists and practitioners has led to the conceptualization of a “research-implementation gap”. However, conservation is not only about translating science into action but also includes the interplay of values, cultural norms, social interactions, and politi-cal consequences. In response, an alternative conceptualization is one where research and implementation exist in a “space”, where conservation partners inter-act. Here, we argue that post-normal science (PNS) can fill this space. PNS is used when information is incomplete, values are pluralistic, stakes are high, and decisions are urgent. It relies on an extended community of practice that aims to pro-duce knowledge fit for end-users, without the constraints of settled scientific paradigms. We advocate for the wider use of PNS in conservation by showing how aspects of PNS have been useful in mainstreaming conservation planning in South Africa. By following an approach typical of PNS, South Africa has made considerable progress in creating an implementation space for conserving biodiversity despite its limited resources, cultural heterogeneity, and controversial history. We outline the interventions used in South Africa to facilitate PNS and, based on this, propose an operating model that can be applied elsewhere.