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Forest dieback due to climate change has severe consequences for the sensitive environments of mountain forests which provide important ecosystem services for local communities, lowlands inhabitants, and visitors. However, this phenomenon is sometimes hard to identify for the lay public as it can manifest as a slow-onset phenomenon with rather inconspicuous signals or as large-scale disturbances like in the case of bark beetle outbreaks. The aim of this contribution is to analyze whether lay people perceive climate change-induced forest dieback in the landscape or not and what kind of damage they identify. To address this issue, we carried out a cross-comparison case-study in two mountain areas in France and Germany. To analyze the data, we introduce an innovative variable clustering approach to identify different groups of respondents based on their perception of climate change and forest dieback. Five groups of respondents-illustrating different degrees of worry-were identified in each case study: the non-alarmist, the carefree, the least informed, the worried, and the alarmist. These results show that both phenomena are not perceived as distant but as happening here and now; and that their perceptions are influenced by local contexts and personal experiences. We finally show that public perception of forest dieback has influenced the agenda setting on the enactment of new forest policies. Perception of climate change and forest dieback impacts: A graphical representation of the typologies.

L’action du conservatoire du littoral sur le bassin d’Arcachon prend en compte les tensions entre attractivité et protection par l’acquisition d’espaces fonciers. Via l’étude d’un premier site du conservatoire du littoral sur le bassin d’Arcachon (dune du Pilat), nous montrons que la mobilisation de multiples acteurs au cours du processus d’acquisition amène ces espaces à passer du statut de bien commun à celui de « patrimoine commun ». Puis, à travers l’analyse des prix immobiliers et fonciers dans le voisinage d’un second site (domaine de Certes et Graveyron), nous suggérons que ces sites semblent exercer une influence sur leur voisinage. La connaissance de ces influences permet d’envisager une gestion du patrimoine commun intégrée et inscrite dans son territoire. The intervention of the Conservatoire du Littoral (the French coastal protection agency) on the Arcachon Bay takes into account the tensions between attractivity and protection triggered by land-use areas acquisition. By studying the Dune du Pilat, one of the first sites of the Conservatoire du Littoral, we highlight that the mobilization of multiple stakeholders during the acquisition process leads these areas to jump from the common good status to the “common land-use”. Then, through the analysis of the patrimony and land-use prices close to another site (Domaine de Certes and Graveyron), we suggest that it looks like these sites have an influence on their neighborhood. Knowing these influences will allow us to imagine an integrated and territory-based management of the common land-use integrated. La acción del Conservatorio del litoral sobre la cuenca de Arcachon toma en cuenta las tensiones entra atractividad y protección por la adquisición de tierra. Vía el estudio del primer sitio del Conservatorio del litoral sobre la cuenca de Arcachon (duna de Pilat), mostramos que la movilización de actores múltiples a curso del proceso de adquisición trae estos a pasar del estatuto de un bien común a un « patrimonio común ». Luego, a través del análisis de los precios inmobiliarios y de la tierra en la cercanía de un segundo sitio (Finca de Graveyron), sugiramos que estos sitios parecen ejercer una influencia sobre su vecindad. El conocimiento de estas influencias permite contemplar una gestión del patrimonio común integrada e inscrita en su territorio.

Le bassin d’Arcachon est une destination touristique dont l’attractivité n’a pas été démentie depuis son développement au cours du xixe siècle. Dans un contexte caractérisé par une augmentation de population de 191 % en période estivale, les stratégies écotouristiques développées par les acteurs de ce territoire ont vocation à préserver le patrimoine naturel et culturel tout en maintenant l’attractivité touristique. Sur un territoire marqué par d’importantes dynamiques démographiques saisonnières, auxquelles se mêle une forte attractivité résidentielle et des positions différenciées des élus vis-à-vis de l’urbanisation, les stratégies écotouristiques mises en œuvre sont diverses et conduisent à différents compromis entre usage et préservation. The bay of Arcachon is a very attractive touristic destination since it was developed during the 19th century. In the context characterized by 191% increase of the population during summer, ecotourism strategies developed by stakeholders of this territory are aiming both preservation of the natural and cultural patrimony and conservation of touristic attractiveness. On this territory shaped by specific demographic and residential changes and different point of views of elected representative about urbanization, diversity of ecotourism strategies can be observed, and reveal different compromises between uses and preservation of touristic sites. La cuenca de Arcachon es un destino turístico muy atractivo desde su desarrollo durante el siglo xix. En el contexto de un aumento de la población de 191% durante el verano, las estrategias del turismo ecológico desarrolladas por las partes interesadas de este territorio, tienen por objetivo preservar el patrimonio natural y cultural, y mantener el atractivo turístico. En un territorio marcado por las grandes dinámicas territoriales estacionales, donde se mezclan un fuerte atractivo residencial con distintos puntos de vista de los alcades, las estrategias ecoturísticas son diversas y conducen a distinctos entre usos y conservación.

Coastal areas are sensitive zones with high amenity quality. Because of their rising attractivity, such areas are facing various pressures and actors involved in local development should consider them. In the context of Iczm (Integrated Coastal Zone Management), local decision makers question about how to articulate development (tourism, residential) and protection of natural resources. The Arcachon Bay (France) is such an adequate case study, as it raises joint issues about development and preservation, attractiveness and protection. Using choice experiment valuation, we assess tourists? preferences for different planning options according to main land uses: agriculture, forestry, oyster farming and residential development. In a decision support perspective, we show that coastal amenities structure users? preferences and that heterogeneity of preferences should not be ignored.

[Departement_IRSTEA]Territoires [TR1_IRSTEA]DTAM [Axe_IRSTEA]DTAM1-REPRO; Tourism has the potential to make a major contribution to the development of rural areas. However, empirical evidence suggests that its economic impact is limited, because rural visitors are thought to engage in few recreational activities and are seen as low spenders. This study gives new insights into the domestic demand in areas of France described as “rural”, with data extracted from the national database provided by the French “tourism demand survey”. The results of the “activity-based segmentation” of visitors' stays in three rural regions show that during the summer season, visits to friends or relatives, which involve little expenditure and no specific activities, continue to take place. However, more expensive stays are the most common. They involve activities aimed at experiencing the outdoors or enjoying local sights, based on natural and cultural amenities that are mainly located in regional natural parks. The main forms of accommodation are campsites and rural cottages. Gastronomic tourism has also emerged as an activity that attracts higher spending visitors. These findings are discussed in relation to the results of segmentation studies in other European countries. Their academic and management implications also are presented.

The bay of Arcachon is a very attractive touristic destination since it was developed during the 19th century. In the context characterized by an increase in population of 191% during summer period, ecotourism strategies developed by the actors of this territory are aimed at both preserve natural and cultural patrimony and maintain tourist attractiveness. On a territory characterized by specific demographic and residential changes and different point of views of elected representative about urbanization, diversity of ecotourism strategies can be observed et revealed different compromises between uses and preservation of tourist sites., Le bassin d'Arcachon est une destination touristique dont l'attractivité n'a pas été démentie depuis son développement au cours du XIXe siècle. Dans un contexte caractérisé par une augmentation de population de 191 % en période estivale, les stratégies écotouristiques développées par les acteurs de ce territoire ont vocation à préserver le patrimoine naturel et culturel tout en maintenant l'attractivité touristique. Sur un territoire marqué par des dynamiques démographiques et résidentielles spécifiques et par des positions des élus différenciées vis-à-vis de l'urbanisation, les stratégies écotouristiques mises en oeuvre sont diverses et conduisent à différents compromis entre usage et préservation des sites touristiques.

Cet article part du constat selon lequel les pratiques et les discours actuels en matière de gestion des risques littoraux relèvent encore prioritairement de modes de gestion fondés sur les « savoirs experts ». Il interroge alors la validité du « modèle du déficit » qui sous-tend cette approche et qui présuppose, en l’absence d’une information et d’une communication officielles idoines, un public peu averti et peu rationnel face aux risques. Issu d’une enquête par questionnaire réalisée durant l’été 2013 sur les représentations sociales liées à l’érosion marine à Lacanau en Aquitaine, il démontre d’une part que ce déficit supposé en connaissances scientifiques n’est pas vérifié à l’échelle locale et d’autre part qu’une sensibilité et une réflexivité au sujet de l’érosion et des enjeux afférents existent au-delà des seules actions institutionnelles d’information et de sensibilisation. La conclusion revient sur quelques implications pratiques et politiques de ces résultats pour la gestion des risques littoraux., Governing practices in French coastal risk management still tend to prioritize expert knowledge in the taking of decisions. Indeed, this policy domain persistently depends upon settled assumptions that local citizens either lack knowledge about risk or are likely to reason on the basis of their emotions and in the short-term. Consequently, they are frequently excluded from decisional arenas making adaptation choices, such as coastal planned retreat. We argue that this kind of policy making rests upon what is called the “public deficit model” in the public understanding of science, and that this model is constantly renewed by some dominant actors despite participatory principles. Based on a questionnaire survey carried out with over 500 individuals (inhabitants, professionals and tourists) in Lacanau, Aquitaine coastline, during the summer of 2013, we found that, on the contrary, citizens have extensive knowledge about coastal erosion and associated issues. Moreover, their knowledge maps onto that held by scientists. Not only do they know about coastal erosion, but they can articulate their knowledge in synthetic ways and envisage long-term solutions to problems. Arguments for their exclusion based on lack of knowledge or perception biases cannot therefore be sustained. Our findings thus go towards removing one of the institutional obstacles blocking change towards participatory governance for risk management.

Forest owners are confronted with contradictory views on the importance of deadwood. Environmentalists argue that it should be left in the forest to conserve biodiversity, provide a habitat for specific fauna and flora, and maintain soil quality through wood decay. Conversely, industrial stakeholders, and some public decision makers, advocate harvesting deadwood. Based on a sociological survey and qualitative interviews, we first analyzed the detailed environmental opinions and values of four groups of French foresters as well as their attitudes towards biodiversity, in particular regarding deadwood conservation. We identified various types of attitudes towards deadwood, which could be seen as waste, an unprofitable by-product, a meaningless entity, or a key part of the ecosystem. We then studied the arguments leading them to choose between deadwood conservation and deadwood harvesting for bioenergy production. On one hand, foresters are interested in short-term profitability and pest control, while others fear potential loss of fertility. Finally, the article shows that specific approaches to deadwood conservation ought to be negotiated at a local scale, pending further scientific investigation into the impact of deadwood on biodiversity and the development of more positive attitudes toward ecological concerns in the forest owners’ community.

National audience; Governing practices in French coastal risk management still tend to prioritize expert knowledge in the taking of decisions. Indeed, this policy domain persistently depends upon settled assumptions that local citizens either lack knowledge about risk or are likely to reason on the basis of their emotions and in the short-term. Consequently, they are frequently excluded from decisional arenas making adaptation choices, such as coastal planned retreat. We argue that this kind of policy making rests upon what is called the “public deficit model” in the public understanding of science, and that this model is constantly renewed by some dominant actors despite participatory principles. Based on a questionnaire survey carried out with over 500 individuals (inhabitants, professionals and tourists) in Lacanau, Aquitaine coastline, during the summer of 2013, we found that, on the contrary, citizens have extensive knowledge about coastal erosion and associated issues. Moreover, their knowledge maps onto that held by scientists. Not only do they know about coastal erosion, but they can articulate their knowledge in synthetic ways and envisage long-term solutions to problems. Arguments for their exclusion based on lack of knowledge or perception biases cannot therefore be sustained. Our findings thus go towards removing one of the institutional obstacles blocking change towards participatory governance for risk management.; Cet article part du constat selon lequel les pratiques et les discours actuels en matière de gestion des risques littoraux relèvent encore prioritairement de modes de gestion fondés sur les « savoirs experts ». Il interroge alors la validité du « modèle du déficit » qui sous-tend cette approche et qui présuppose, en l’absence d’une information et d’une communication officielles idoines, un public peu averti et peu rationnel face aux risques. Issu d’une enquête par questionnaire réalisée durant l’été 2013 sur les représentations sociales liées à l’érosion marine à Lacanau en Aquitaine, il démontre d’une part que ce déficit supposé en connaissances scientifiques n’est pas vérifié à l’échelle locale et d’autre part qu’une sensibilité et une réflexivité au sujet de l’érosion et des enjeux afférents existent au-delà des seules actions institutionnelles d’information et de sensibilisation. La conclusion revient sur quelques implications pratiques et politiques de ces résultats pour la gestion des risques littoraux.

In this paper we examine the usefulness of combining multivariate analysis and costs analysis in recreation planning. Although these approaches have sometimes been developed in previous recreation studies, they have never been combined in this way. We apply this approach to a regional beach planning policy called the “Beach Plan”, in Aquitaine, south-western France. A multivariate procedure is used to assess the current environmental and social conditions of the 91 beaches included in the Plan. It reveals some connections between the variables we selected at the inventory step and leads to the definition of four homogeneous clusters of sites. We also identify possible social inequities. We find that the partition obtained by the cluster analysis does not coincide with the classification defined in the Plan. This confirms the necessity of an iterative process between inventory and implementation steps. We then examine the cost consequences of the implementation of the Plan. To do so, we define “total incremental cost functions” which enable us to evaluate the cost impacts of introducing sites in the Plan. We show that the application of the strict efficiency criterion may lead to several socially undesirable effects. We therefore propose an alternative integration path, called the “no social cost” path, after combining results provided by the multivariate analysis and the cost analysis. Management implications • At the inventory stage of recreation planning, multivariate analyses provide a synoptic description of recreational activities, out of a large quantity of data. Multiple correspondence analysis is a factorial method designed to deal with categorical variables • The combination of physical and socioeconomic data is of great help to decision makers in defining new social objectives in recreational planning. • By identifying possible correlations between the variables, multivariate analyses provide a better understanding of the functioning of sites. In the French case for instance, the level of use and the management effort are much more discriminating than the environmental characteristics of the beaches. • Cost analysis aims at giving full account of the variability of management costs at the site level. Several drivers are identified accordingly. • Cost analysis is also a means to compare several strategies for implementing the plan. In the present case, ranking the sites according to a “pure efficiency” criterion may be appealing because it allows for the introduction of 66 sites (out of the 91) into the planning process at a zero overall cost. • The selection rule based on the efficiency criterion tends to increase social and economic inequalities between the municipalities. Another selection rule (hereafter called the “no social costs”) may reduce such undesirable effects.

Cet article présente une application de la méthode des prix hédoniques pour étudier l'effet des aménités littorales sur les prix du foncier. L'originalité repose sur l'association d'estimations semi-paramétriques et hédoniques, permettant de souligner les spécificités des gradients de rente foncière. / The article describes an application of the hedonic price method, combined with a semi-parametric estimation, to the study of the impact of coastal amenities on land prices. Coastal areas are particularly subject to conflicts of use. We study the influence of coastal amenities on price formation by identifying the variation in land values as a function of distance from the coast. For this purpose, we compare two coastal areas of France: the still heavily agricultural Charente coast and the more urbanized Basque coast. We show that coastal development generates significant capital gains for residential properties along the coastal strip due to closeness to the shore and the presence of amenities. The phenomenon extends inland as a function of accessibility. Coastal development also disrupts farmland markets, including in the hinterland. The comparison of the two areas of study suggests that local characteristics are responsible for major differences in the impact of coastal development.

Land use changes generate some conflicts, in particular between agricultural and residential uses in the urbanization context and sprawl phenomena. Coastal zones also produce specific amenities that create conflicts over land-use, increase housing and land values and, associated with and/or substituted to urban amenities modify the structure of the territory.\r\nThis article is aimed at studying the influence of coastal and urban amenities, respectively defined in terms of accessibility to the sea side and to employment center, on prices. We differentiate the analysis between two distinct study areas according to the degree of urban development: the Charente coast that is still highly agricultural, and the Basque coastal area more urbanized. According to these local specificities, we will study with the same hedonic pricing method land use prices in the first case and property prices in the second.\r\nThe main results underline the major influence of littoralisation as structural phenomena in housing and land prices dynamics. We identify two different types of gradient of values in relation to distance to sea side as regards to the residential or agricultural use: a “growth premium” explains the agricultural land price gradient whereas both amenity and accessibility premiums justify the residential gradients.