The management of scientific research in the State Park of Ilha do Cardoso

Abstract

Scientific research is important for the management of protected areas, as it subsidizes the planning of actions for nature conservation and management. However, the results of the surveys are hardly used in day-to-day management. This paper aims to propose strategies to contribute to the use of scientific knowledge by the State Park of Ilha do Cardoso, identifying the current scenario of the management of the research and the expectations and difficulties regarding the access and communication of scientific knowledge. For this, semi-structured interviews were conducted with researchers, employees and community members of the protected area. The result allowed the identification of problems related to the devaluation of the research bank, the lack of logistic support to the researchers and the monitoring of research by the protected areas; besides the inadequate formats of the research products for the effective use by the management; and the fear of the traditional community with studies that jeopardize its permanence in the Park. The solution of these problems is the understanding that scientific research is a fundamental and integral part of the routine of the protected areas, and the management must establish initiatives and strategies to improve the administrative scenario and bring the community closer to the research actions; as well as the researcher taking responsibility for the process of diffusion, popularization and democratization of scientific knowledge, taking into account the reality of the place and the mission of revealing sources for problem solving and opening new possibilities.