Science and Management

Scientific research in Natural Protected Areas, especially research on priority issues, is a fundamental tool for decision makers.

The Master Plan for the Natural Protected Areas System (SINANPE) (2025) recognizes research as an inherent activity in the management of Natural Protected Areas (NPAs) and SINANPE, as it provides important information for decision-making. This approach reflects a fundamental concept shared with NPA systems in other countries: protected areas are sources of information that are important for human well-being. 

Download the Master Plan here

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT IN NPPS

A key aspect developed by the National System of State Protected Areas (SINANPE) to achieve effective NPA management is the identification of research priorities. Based on this, its governing body, the National Service of Natural Areas Protected by the State (SERNANP), develops promotional actions through agreements with scientific and academic institutions, volunteer programs, the promotion of a scholarship fund for scientific research, and the establishment of scientific research interest groups in each NPA. 

It should be noted that the scientific method is not the only form of research or source of information useful for NPA management. In addition to scientific knowledge, one can rely on history, ancestral knowledge, and expert opinions. For example, wildlife inventories, such as bird lists made by amateurs at events like Global Big Day, can be valuable if validated by experts.

SERNANP research website

OBSERVATIONS ON TWO WORLDS: SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT

Decision makers (managers) and scientists operate in different, but equally important, worlds. To improve their collaboration, empathetic communication based on mutual understanding and appreciation of each other's work is essential. The researcher designs accurate studies, with quantitative data and statistical analysis to ensure high reliability. On the other hand, the decision-maker deals with fluctuating social, political and economic variables that compete with science in the decision process; they need quick ("yesterday") and often preliminary information, without being able to wait for publication as a scientific article. 

El Sira Communal Reserve
Credits: SERNANP

Illescas National Reserve
Credits: SERNANP

SCIENCE AND MANAGEMENT: TWO LINKED CYCLES

The management cycle of natural protected areas is composed of four stages, and the cycle of scientific research has been summarized in four stages. Both interact with each other throughout the process.

Management cycle

Planning

Management objectives, indicators and goals are defined, as well as the strategies to achieve them, taking into account human and financial resources.

1

Implementation

Activities are carried out according to the planned strategies.

2

Management

Feedback and adaptation

It is based on the evaluation of monitoring and other new, reliable and systematized information.

3

Monitoring and evaluation

Information is processed and indicators are calculated at different levels, as well as their reliability, and the evaluation of integrated monitoring is generated.

4

Scientific Research Cycle

Problem Identification

Management objectives, indicators and goals are defined, as well as the strategies to achieve them, taking into account human and financial resources.

1

Establishment of Hypotheses

Define specific questions and study design

2

Research

Article Writing

Disseminate the results and, if necessary, reformulate hypotheses.

3

Data Collection and Analysis

Information is processed and indicators are calculated at different levels, as well as their reliability, and the evaluation of integrated monitoring is generated.

4

Note: The following stages explain how both are needed in this interaction and the concepts that both should share.

PRIORITY RESEARCH IN ANP

What is it?

These are those investigations whose results allow decisions to be made to achieve management objectives at the scale of a NPA or SINANPE, and are focused on areas with scientific information gaps. These investigations are identified in the Master Plans and are developed through a participatory process with strategic allies.
These investigations are identified in the Master Plans and are developed through a participatory process with strategic allies (researchers).

Stages

In this stage, the manager leads the formulation of the Master Plan, establishing management objectives that guide the NPA towards its conservation vision. During its development, the main link between researchers and managers is the identification of priority research. In an ideal scenario, this research results from the interaction and dialogue between both actors during planning.

Convergence opportunities:

For researchers, the Master Plan process is equivalent to the problem identification stage in the research cycle. In an ideal scenario, scientific research conducted in the ANP should contain, at a minimum, elements of the approved priority research.

In this phase, a key space for strengthening the link between researchers and managers is the Research Interest Group, a space attached to the Management Committee.
The best thing for the ANP during this stage is not only to identify priority research, but also to identify the universities or researchers for its execution, and to achieve a commitment. This agreement initiates an ANP-researcher relationship that is expected to last throughout the management cycle.

Case

Camisea Gas Project in the Paracas National Reserve (see page 28 of the Research Priorities Guide).

Go to the case

At this stage, the manager puts into action the decisions and activities described in the Master Plan. However, how is this management put into action while the scientific information identified in the priority research is not yet available?

In an ideal scenario, the manager would have the scientific information before making the decision. In the common scenario, many times the manager must make a decision and implement management actions, while at the same time obtaining information through research and monitoring.

Convergence opportunities

For researchers, this stage of the management cycle corresponds approximately to the hypothesis establishment stage where specific questions and hypotheses are developed, and the study design is established: the proposals and documents necessary to begin the research are developed. For the presentation and implementation of research, it is important to have authorizations from Sernanp, and from other governmental entities if applicable (e.g., Ministry of Culture or Ministry of Production).

Case

Standard test in implementation stage Standard test in implementation stage

Go to the case

In this stage, periodic data are collected and the analysis of the various indicators identified in the Master Plan is implemented. It should be clarified that the monitoring and evaluation of information is a category of scientific research, however, it is an internal function of Sernanp.

Convergence opportunities

For researchers, this stage of the management cycle corresponds roughly to the data collection and analysis stage.

Communication spaces should be promoted and opportunities should be sought for training specialists in complex or specific technical topics, as well as fostering communication between specialists and researchers. Specialists are one of the best communication links between researchers and decision-makers.

Feedback is the convergence between quantitative scientific information and decision making. What do the scientific results indicate - is the PNA on track towards its goals, or do adjustments need to be made? This stage is when information is systematized, and allows managers to understand whether their decisions are having the desired effects on natural and cultural resources. The systematization of information serves as the basis for the next stage of planning, and completes the management cycle. For researchers, this stage of the management cycle corresponds to the work of writing scientific articles and reports and their dissemination.

The product of this stage should be the examination and possible adaptation of policies and activities, as well as the design of new research and adjustments to monitoring processes. The most important aspect of the feedback stage -for both parties- is to maintain and reinforce the spaces for the exchange of scientific information created in the previous stages. The NPA headquarters can support the researcher and disseminate their results, reaching a more management-oriented public. 

The Driving Group is composed of 10 institutions that support the coordination of common priority research and provide advice to the Project on the processes of scientific coordination in Peru, linked to natural protected areas. Its composition is not closed - new members are expected to be added to the Group in the future.

This is a conceptual model that describes the interaction of research (scientific evidence) and NPA management decisions, highlighting the importance of coordination among stakeholders. Knowledge of goals and threats, or challenges, helps to describe the area's research priorities, which are implemented to produce and summarize critical information for NPA management decisions.

A recommendation of the Driving Group in 2024 was to work on the development of Regional Alliances for the coordination and execution of common priority research. The project decided to start in three regions: Loreto, Madre de Dios and Cusco.

In Summary

Scientific research in natural protected areas, especially research on priority issues, is a fundamental tool for decision-makers. fundamental tool for decision-makers. Research provides inputs throughout the NPA management cycle in support of biodiversity conservation and the provision of ecosystem services that generate benefits to humans. Although researchers and decision-makers operate in "two different worlds", valuing each other's work, and frequent communication and dialogue help to find convergences. Decision-makers should recognize researchers as strategic actors, and researchers should become more immersed in NPA issues through Master Plans and Research Interest Groups. Both can learn to describe their domains ("worlds") using clear and accessible language, which promotes mutual understanding and fosters a working environment where scientific information is more abundant and timely.