Regional Mountain Conference

From a socio-ecological research perspective, the interdependence of human-nature relationships is of central importance in identifying the causes and consequences of crisis phenomena and developing strategies for their reduction and adaptation. This research is confronted with complex, socially relevant problems that require not only interdisciplinary approaches, but also the explicit participatory involvement of affected social groups as the conceptual and methodological basis for a transdisciplinary understanding of knowledge. This study synthesizes interviews and a workshop to assess actors’ needs for long-term science–practice collaboration in the LTSER Eisenwurzen platform (Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research Platform). Three themes were developed: (1) Relationship and collaboration: Actors call for collaboration on equal terms with mutual respect for different ways of knowledge production. A high-quality of the participatory process, including flexibility to adapt methods and questions is important. Maintaining relationships should also be a focus outside of specific project collaborations. (2) Benefits and impact: Participation is dependent on perceivable regional value, which ranges from awareness and perspective shifts to concrete guidelines and decision-ready data (e.g., for climate adaptation). Actors request accessible outputs and clear implementation pathways, which are often absent due to design and funding gaps. (3) Exchange within the platform: Limited resources, large distances and other geographical constraints hinder coordination. Actors propose a clearer identity, shared goals, adequate funding, and robust structures to enable regular, results-oriented exchanges and common projects.

In order to facilitate beneficial science-practice collaboration in the LTSER platform Eisenwurzen, it is vital that tools are developed that take those needs into consideration. It was proposed by the actors that an open-access project map and a curated database of projects and results be implemented. Furthermore, the request was made for additional networking activities to facilitate exchange and coordinated project development.