Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach

Abstract Mediterranean wildfires persistently challenge regions due to climatic factors, changing land use, and abandonment of rural areas, posing threats to both ecosystems and human well‐being. Current fire management emphasizes fire exclusion, neglecting traditional methods and socio‐ ecological...

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Main Authors: Erika Piroli, Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca, Jay Mistry, Yiannis Kountouris
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2024-12-01
Series:People and Nature
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10729
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author Erika Piroli
Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca
Jay Mistry
Yiannis Kountouris
author_facet Erika Piroli
Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca
Jay Mistry
Yiannis Kountouris
author_sort Erika Piroli
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Mediterranean wildfires persistently challenge regions due to climatic factors, changing land use, and abandonment of rural areas, posing threats to both ecosystems and human well‐being. Current fire management emphasizes fire exclusion, neglecting traditional methods and socio‐ ecological processes, thereby elevating the risk of catastrophic events and negatively impacting ecosystems. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders and decision makers are essential for effective wildfire mitigation; lack of engagement perpetuates conflicts, underscoring the need to integrate diverse perspectives to enhance environmental management policies. Focusing on Monreale, Sicily, as a representative of fire‐prone Mediterranean landscapes, this study uses Q‐Methodology to investigate stakeholder attitudes toward the causes and drivers of wildfires. Using Q‐Methodology, the research identifies shared values and discrepancies among stakeholders, revealing information on acceptable wildfire policies by discerning areas of consensus. The paper delves into various perspectives on socioeconomic and political dimensions in Sicily, unravelling conflicts and consensus areas for advancing fire management objectives. It concludes with policy insights and recommendations for future research. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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spelling doaj-art-17296def0a20493cbdb54bd81090b4202025-08-20T02:30:28ZengWileyPeople and Nature2575-83142024-12-01662514252710.1002/pan3.10729Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approachErika Piroli0Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca1Jay Mistry2Yiannis Kountouris3Centre for Environmental Policy Imperial College London and Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires London UKDipartimento di Scienze Agrarie, Alimentari e Forestali Università degli Studi di Palermo Palermo ItalyDepartment of Geography Royal Holloway University of London Egham Surrey UKCentre for Environmental Policy Imperial College London and Leverhulme Centre for Wildfires London UKAbstract Mediterranean wildfires persistently challenge regions due to climatic factors, changing land use, and abandonment of rural areas, posing threats to both ecosystems and human well‐being. Current fire management emphasizes fire exclusion, neglecting traditional methods and socio‐ ecological processes, thereby elevating the risk of catastrophic events and negatively impacting ecosystems. Collaborative efforts among stakeholders and decision makers are essential for effective wildfire mitigation; lack of engagement perpetuates conflicts, underscoring the need to integrate diverse perspectives to enhance environmental management policies. Focusing on Monreale, Sicily, as a representative of fire‐prone Mediterranean landscapes, this study uses Q‐Methodology to investigate stakeholder attitudes toward the causes and drivers of wildfires. Using Q‐Methodology, the research identifies shared values and discrepancies among stakeholders, revealing information on acceptable wildfire policies by discerning areas of consensus. The paper delves into various perspectives on socioeconomic and political dimensions in Sicily, unravelling conflicts and consensus areas for advancing fire management objectives. It concludes with policy insights and recommendations for future research. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10729conflictsfire managementinterestsQ‐methodologywildfire
spellingShingle Erika Piroli
Donato Salvatore La Mela Veca
Jay Mistry
Yiannis Kountouris
Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
People and Nature
conflicts
fire management
interests
Q‐methodology
wildfire
title Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
title_full Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
title_fullStr Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
title_full_unstemmed Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
title_short Understanding stakeholders' perspectives behind wildfires in Sicily: A Q‐methodology approach
title_sort understanding stakeholders perspectives behind wildfires in sicily a q methodology approach
topic conflicts
fire management
interests
Q‐methodology
wildfire
url https://doi.org/10.1002/pan3.10729
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AT yianniskountouris understandingstakeholdersperspectivesbehindwildfiresinsicilyaqmethodologyapproach