Mapping whose reality? Geographic information systems (GIS) and “wild science”

Abstract

In taking the landscape-scale view increasingly demanded of natural resource management, scientific assessments make considerable use of geographic information systems (GIS) maps to convey the research findings they develop. Public interaction with scientists over natural resource management issues is therefore frequently mediated by such maps, which can directly influence how the landscape is viewed, and how science findings are communicated and understood. Analysis of the Coastal Landscape Analysis and Modeling Study (CLAMS) project in western Oregon reveals that GIS maps play a significant role in how we frame and address natural resource management issues. They can support the role of privileged knowledge as held by the map makers, typically scientists, and may reinforce it by the de facto "map tyranny" that gives primacy to scientific worldviews. But they can also enable broader kinds of inquiry through multiple frames of reference, enhancing story-making opportunities for stakeholders. Which of these trajectories is followed is affected by resource availability and new perceptions of responsibility, each of which reflects social power structures. The CLAMS case study suggests that map user/non-scientists appear less likely to be victims of "map tyranny" the more familiar they are with the technology. Accordingly, they become more likely to push for usable results from it, and more confident about engaging their own knowledge with that of the map maker/scientists.

Invasive Species Research to Meet the Needs of Resource Management and Planning

“…Lake suitability for other invasive species has been added as research results become available. On the website, we also provide information regarding the methods and assumptions involved in generating the classification as a means of communicating uncertainties associated with the classification scheme to users (Duncan 2006). We expect the interface will increase public involvement in management of lakes and community‐based monitoring, which should help increase regional and local knowledge of aquatic invasive species.…”

Integrating Ecological and Social Knowledge: Learning from CHANS Research

“…One problem, as Gustafson et al (2006) noted, is the tendency of scientists in these settings to dwell exclusively on the model details, i.e., the technology. For example, without proper setup the often highly realistic maps that our landscape models produce can be deceptive to stakeholders who mistake these outputs as predictive rather than speculative (Duncan 2006, Fischer et al 2013. In a CHANS study other very real problems may arise if the climate change topic is introduced as a central opening feature.…”

Subaltern Empowerment in the Geoweb: Tensions between Publicity and Privacy

“…In the first case the representational capabilities of GIS seem to be particularly suited to the facilitation of the sharing of knowledge, which leads to the community dialogue necessary for consensus building (Jankowski and Nyerges ; Laituri ; Tate and Hogrebe ). In the second case GIS, as a digital technology often considered a scientific medium, makes it much easier for local knowledge both to be transmitted broadly and also to be accepted as legitimate by many individuals (Duncan ; Dunn ). Therefore, once marginalized people have transmitted their knowledge to the larger public, it is more likely that this public will take it seriously.…”