Kartlegging og verdisetting av naturtyper

Mapping of habitats is central to preserve biodiversity in Norway. This article describes the historic development of the methodology used to classify and assign value to nature types, a process that has been going on for almost ten years. A positivistic view of science has characterized the process, especially over the last few years, both among the authorities and in central specialist fora. This article discusses several challenges related to the development of the methodology. It is especially critical of Parliament’s demand for value-free methodology, which it argues is in fact impossible. Further, it discusses the need to employ expert opinion and to describe uncertainty. It also criticizes the lack of analyses that expose possible model errors of the methodology. This is especially applicable with respect to relevance and precision, where high precision in the method may increase the risk of failing to achieve the objective. The article concludes that sufficient focus has not been placed on the challenges that appear in the intersection between natural science and practical management during the development of the new methodology for habitat mapping. This process has demonstrated the importance of broad competence, of being open about choices and acknowledging the consequences of these, and of having enough patience to develop a good methodology.