Wetenschappelijke modellen in natuurbeleid: Visies op de rol en toepassing van wetenschappelijke modellen in de praktijk

“Evidence-based policy” principles prescribe that policy and decision-making are based on objective and (scientifically) validated evidence. Scientific information is predominantly quantitative, and scientific models used simplify the complex reality in which social and political factors play a role. In policy issues, resistance may develop against the way in which this scientific information is used. There is a growing understanding that other types of information and information sources, such as local knowledge, are necessary to create a complete picture of an issue and its context. In this project we investigated how different stakeholder groups feel about this emphasis on scientific, in particular quantitative, information produced by scientific models and how in the process of policy-making room can be made for other forms of “evidence”. In addition to literature research, interviews, a workshop and an analysis of online responses to a number of relevant cases, including nitrogen policy, were used.