Natural processes and natureculture – A relational understanding of nature amongst local stakeholders in Swiss parks
Resource type
Journal Article
Status
Published
Recommended form of citation (APA)
Deplazes-Zemp, A., Michel, A. H., Oliveri, T., Schneiter, R., Thaler, L., & Backhaus, N. (2024). Natural processes and natureculture: A relational understanding of nature amongst local stakeholders in Swiss parks. Ecosystems and People, 20(1). https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2024.2421306
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License Condition
CC BY 4.0 (International)
Proforis OA-status
Hybrid OA
OA-Acknowledgement
This OA publication was made possible by the R&P contracts of the Swiss University Consortium.
Topic PHSG
Räume, Zeiten, Gesellschaften (RZG)
Ethik, Religionen, Gemeinschaft (ERG)
Fields of Science and Technology (OECD)
Philosophy
Environmental sciences (social aspects)
Social and economic geography
Abstract
Various scholars have criticized that formal Western thinking was dichotomous and substantialist, leading to an alienation from nature and to its exploitation in industrialized societies. Critics argue that a relational turn towards a more holistic, process-based and relational approach to address the world would be an important step to overcome these problems. Such a relational turn involves a shift towards more flexible and inclusive concepts. We analyse ‘nature’ concepts of local stakeholders in Swiss nature parks to examine whether they contain any relational elements. Indeed, we found that all stakeholders interviewed see themselves as part of nature. Many reported how they experience nature in active processes and see nature as a collaborator and partner. Moreover, they do not strictly separate between natural and cultural elements in their environment. We conclude that a relational turn in environmental policy in Western countries could build on these relational elements in nature concepts of the local population
Additional Information
Diese Publikation erschien im Rahmen des PHSG-externen Projekts ValPar.CH .
PHSG Organisation name
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Version
Published Version
Access Rights
Open Access
License Condition
CC BY 4.0 (International)
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