SummaryKey to bridging knowing–doing gaps is analysis of the constraints binding interactions between decision-makers and conservation biologists to clarify the problems they address. We apply this analysis to decision situations in the Northern Vosges (France), which illustrate three kinds of constraints: governance, framework and initiative. We explore how conservation biologists can mitigate constraints so as to foster more ambitious conservation actions in each case. The first case explores attempts at reintroducing the lynx (Lynx lynx). In this case, we show that governance plays a key role, in the sense that conservation actions should focus on improving the acceptability of reintroductions to key stakeholders. The second case refers to water monitoring schemes. Here we show that framing is the dominant constraint. This means that conservation actions are tightly limited by the use of a restrictive scientific apparatus. The last case study, fish stock protection, is constrained by initiative. Here, decision-makers have too much leverage to implement solutions they favour, even if they are not the best options in conservation terms. Exploring how our framework relates to the existing literature allows us to highlight its usefulness for rationalizing conservation problem framing and for strengthening the ambitions of conservation actions.

中文翻译：

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分析约束以改进保护决策：一个理论框架及其在法国北孚日的应用

摘要弥合知行差距的关键是分析决策者和保护生物学家之间相互作用的约束，以澄清他们所解决的问题。我们将此分析应用于北孚日（法国）的决策情况，这说明了三种约束：治理、框架和主动性。我们探索保护生物学家如何减轻限制，从而在每种情况下促进更雄心勃勃的保护行动。第一个案例探讨了重新引入猞猁的尝试（猞猁猞猁）。在这种情况下，我们表明治理起着关键作用，因为保护行动应侧重于提高重新引入关键利益相关者的可接受性。第二种情况是指水监测计划。在这里，我们表明框架是主要的约束条件。这意味着保护行动受到使用限制性科学仪器的严格限制。最后一个案例研究，鱼类种群保护，受到主动性的限制。在这里，决策者有太多的影响力来实施他们喜欢的解决方案，即使它们不是保护方面的最佳选择。探索我们的框架如何与现有文献相关，使我们能够强调其对合理化保护问题框架和加强保护行动的雄心的有用性。