Designing a regional wildlife management plan through participatory multi‑criteria methods: evidence from Apulia

Abstract Biodiversity is increasingly threatened by challenges such as climate change, new land-use management, and emerging societal dynamics, emphasizing the pressing need for its conservation. The European Union prioritizes biodiversity conservation, as reflected in initiatives like the Green Deal Agenda and the Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. Sustainable hunting is increasingly recognized for its role in biodiversity conservation, balancing ecological, economic, and cultural considerations. While hunting impacts biodiversity both positively and negatively, effective management requires collaboration among communities, researchers, and authorities to develop strategic plans. These plans are particularly relevant in agricultural and rural contexts, where hunting regulations intersect with land management, crop protection, and the socio-economic development of local communities. This study proposes an integrated participatory approach to strengthen public decision-making processes in biodiversity management. By combining different aspects of backcasting, participatory SWOT analysis, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process, the research demonstrates how structured stakeholder engagement can bridge the gap between scientific knowledge and policy implementation, contributing to more widely supported, sustainable, and actionable plans. The case study of the Apulia Region highlights the transformative potential of participation in wildlife planning. The results emphasize the importance of precise land allocation for hunting, with updated methodologies to accurately reflect the current land use. Regularly revising regional maps—including those for land use, renewable energy installations, and protected areas—are vital for effective management. The study offers both practical and theoretical contributions. Firstly, it supports policymakers in crafting strategies through participatory methods that boost implementation success. In addition, it fosters research that builds a scientific collaborative community by integrating real-world social and political factors.