A Two-Layer Participatory Simulation to Support a Flexible Participation of a Consultative Council

In this methodological paper, we present a project aiming to introd uce computer - based support for participatory manage men t of protected areas, in order to promote biodiversity conservation, social inclusion, and conflict resolution. We focus on the on the commu nication between participants through the decision making process, and in particular on the issue of temporal lapses during simulation sessions. Our first case study, the Tijuca National Park, in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), reveals the importance of this lapse and the shortcomings of traditional approaches. We propose a two- layer simulation to grab information from participants in order to favor the exchange of information within each layer and between layers. We claim this metho d could be extende d to other parks where the conservation of natural resources is at stake, and to other fields which have to deal with social inclusion, participatory manage ment, conflict resolution, and temporal lapse through the simulation.