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The success of participatory marine governance arrangements is influenced by the levels of trust that exist between decision-makers and diverse stakeholder groups within the community. While the benefits of high levels of trust among these groups is well established, specific approaches to building trust remain largely unknown. The aim of this study is to understand the extent to which scientific research programs can enhance trust among marine protected area (MPA) managers and community members via an evaluation of the Ningaloo Research Program -a large-scale program of marine research in the Ningaloo Marine Park. Results from a survey of 125 local residents show that community members along the Ningaloo coast believe that scientific research is important for the management of the marine park, and strongly support government investment in scientific research in the region. Results also suggest that science undertaken through the Ningaloo Research Program has increased the extent to which community members trust local managers, which study participants believe has led to improved social and environmental outcomes in the region. Finally, additional opportunities are identified to maintain and further enhance trust between community members and MPA managers, via targeted communication and engagement programs that account for different personality 'types'. In particular, the establishment of citizen science programs might further build trust. These results suggest that scientific research could be used as a means to increase trust among decision-makers and community members when coupled with an effective communication and outreach program, thus enhancing the success of participatory marine governance arrangements.

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Abstract. 1. Replanting natives on cleared riparian land is a common form of restoration. While most assessments of success are focussed on flora, the impact on fauna is often unknown. 2. We evaluated the effectiveness of revegetation for dung beetles in the riparian zone in a temperate Australian river. Total abundance, abundance of individual species, total species richness and species composition were compared using a chronosequence approach using four habitat types: unplanted; 1–3 and 7–10 year old revegetated plots, and mature native woodland. 3. A total of 1651 individuals and 20 species were trapped. Abundance and richness showed no trends across the chronosequence; however, changes in species composition appeared to be triggered by revegetation. Composition in older revegetation was more similar to mature woodland than the young revegetation or unplanted habitat. These shifts were largely due to a decline in the abundance and diversity of exotic dung beetles across the chronosequence. 4. Native revegetation also appeared to affect six species. Any of these six species could be used as indicators of progress in this region, but whether they are useful elsewhere cannot be guaranteed. This is a shortcoming of any study that recommends individual species as indicators. 5. Exotic‐to‐native ratios of plants are success indicators in restoration projects, and we suggest that this could also be used for monitoring success for invertebrate fauna. The exotic‐to‐native ratio has the advantage over single species indicators because the metric does not rely on those species being present in a particular region.