Display options
Cite
Nita A, Rozylowicz L, Manolache S, et al. Collaboration Networks in Applied Conservation Projects across Europe. PLoS One. 2016;11(10):e0164503doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164503.
Nita, A., Rozylowicz, L., Manolache, S., Ciocănea, C. M., Miu, I. V., & Popescu, V. D. (2016). Collaboration Networks in Applied Conservation Projects across Europe. PloS one, 11(10), e0164503. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164503
Nita, Andreea, et al. "Collaboration Networks in Applied Conservation Projects across Europe." PloS one vol. 11,10 (2016): e0164503. doi: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0164503
Nita A, Rozylowicz L, Manolache S, Ciocănea CM, Miu IV, Popescu VD. Collaboration Networks in Applied Conservation Projects across Europe. PLoS One. 2016 Oct 10;11(10):e0164503. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164503. eCollection 2016. PMID: 27723834; PMCID: PMC5056702.
Copy Download .nbib Format: NLM
Share it on

PLoS One. 2016 Oct 10;11(10):e0164503. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164503. eCollection 2016.

Collaboration Networks in Applied Conservation Projects across Europe.

PloS one

Andreea Nita, Laurentiu Rozylowicz, Steluta Manolache, Cristiana Maria Ciocănea, Iulia Viorica Miu, Viorel Dan Popescu

Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environmental Research and Impact Studies, University of Bucharest, Bucharest, Romania.
  2. Department of Biological Sciences, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio, United States of America.

PMID: 27723834 PMCID: PMC5056702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0164503

Abstract

The main funding instrument for implementing EU policies on nature conservation and supporting environmental and climate action is the LIFE Nature programme, established by the European Commission in 1992. LIFE Nature projects (>1400 awarded) are applied conservation projects in which partnerships between institutions are critical for successful conservation outcomes, yet little is known about the structure of collaborative networks within and between EU countries. The aim of our study is to understand the nature of collaboration in LIFE Nature projects using a novel application of social network theory at two levels: (1) collaboration between countries, and (2) collaboration within countries using six case studies: Western Europe (United Kingdom and Netherlands), Eastern Europe (Romania and Latvia) and Southern Europe (Greece and Portugal). Using data on 1261 projects financed between 1996 and 2013, we found that Italy was the most successful country not only in terms of awarded number of projects, but also in terms of overall influence being by far the most influent country in the European LIFE Nature network, having the highest eigenvector (0.989) and degree centrality (0.177). Another key player in the network is Netherlands, which ensures a fast communication flow with other network members (closeness-0.318) by staying connected with the most active countries. Although Western European countries have higher centrality scores than most of the Eastern European countries, our results showed that overall there is a lower tendency to create partnerships between different organization categories. Also, the comparisons of the six case studies indicates significant differences in regards to the pattern of creating partnerships, providing valuable information on collaboration on EU nature conservation. This study represents a starting point in predicting the formation of future partnerships within LIFE Nature programme, suggesting ways to improve transnational cooperation and communication.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

References

  1. Conserv Biol. 2015 Feb;29(1):260-70 - PubMed
  2. Soc Networks. 2010 Jul 1;32(3):212-220 - PubMed
  3. PLoS One. 2014 Nov 21;9(11):e113648 - PubMed
  4. PLoS One. 2011 Apr 05;6(4):e16939 - PubMed
  5. PLoS One. 2015 Jun 23;10(6):e0129542 - PubMed
  6. Conserv Biol. 2014 Oct;28(5):1371-9 - PubMed
  7. Nature. 2015 Dec 10;528(7581):193 - PubMed

MeSH terms

Publication Types