Last week, a diverse group from the University of Göttingen and the CNRS Alpine Ecology Laboratory in Grenoble came together for a collaborative three-day workshop as part of the RECONNECT project. The focus was on developing future scenarios that extend beyond landscape reconnection, integrating human-nature relationships and stakeholder participation. Our interdisciplinary team, which includes experts in social sciences, socio-ecology, and ecology, spent the workshop discussing how to align these socio-ecological scenarios with the ongoing ecosystem service modeling efforts in both Göttingen and Grenoble. We began by presenting the current progress of various tasks, and through sharing insights from previous studies, we refined how these participatory scenarios could address the complex connections between protected areas and the surrounding landscapes.

The workshop culminated in a field trip to the Vercors Massif, where we hiked to the Moucherotte peak, standing at 1900 meters. From this vantage point, we explored the socio-ecological dynamics of the Grenoble valley, linking theoretical discussions with real-world observations. The team from Göttingen gained a deeper understanding of the French case study, enriched by local insights from our stop in Lans-en-Vercors. This hands-on experience underscored the importance of integrating ecological connectivity with human values and land-use practices, driving us forward in shaping inclusive and resilient future landscapes.

Credit: Alberto González García