Forms of collaboration and social fit in wildlife management: A comparison of policy networks in Alaska

Meek, Chanda L.

doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2012.10.003

Cited by 30 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Thus, addressing these global challenges requires not only the involvement of numerous actors across large geographical scales, but also the involvement of actors across multiple scales (local, regional, supraregional) and across distinct geographic yet ecologically connected areas (Young 2002, Carlsson and Berkes 2005, Folke et al 2005, Brondizio et al 2009, Walker et al 2009, Ostrom 2010a, Österblom and Bodin 2012. Their interactions can enhance the formulation, refinement, and coordination of actions that are locally implemented but have global consequence (e.g., Meek 2013, Galaz et al 2014. However, time and resource costs are associated with establishing and maintaining collaborative arrangements.…”

Section: Theoretical Background: Social-ecological Fit Challenges Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Some studies have approached the topic from a policy and institutional perspective (e.g., Ostrom 1990, Morrison 2007, Ekstrom and Young 2009, Nagendra and Ostrom 2012, Cosens 2013; others have focused on multistakeholder governance processes (e.g., Olsson et al 2007, Meek 2013, Wyborn 2015; and others have highlighted the problem through a managerial lens, identifying instances in which management actions are not suited to the biophysical system of interest (Hobbs et al 1993, Saunders andBriggs 2002). Some recent studies similar to ours have taken a structural approach, focusing on the interactions between and among governance actors and elements of the biophysical system (Bergsten et al 2014, Treml et al 2015.…”

Section: Theoretical Background: Social-ecological Fit Challenges Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Achieving social-ecological fit through bottom-up collaborative governance: an empirical investigation

Guerrero¹,

Bodin²,

McAllister³

et al. 2015

E&S

128

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. 2015. Achieving social-ecological fit through bottom-up collaborative governance: an empirical investigation. Ecology and Society 20 (4) ABSTRACT. Significant benefits can arise from collaborative forms of governance that foster self-organization and flexibility. Likewise, governance systems that fit with the extent and complexity of the system under management are considered essential to our ability to solve environmental problems. However, from an empirical perspective the fundamental question of whether self-organized (bottomup) collaborative forms of governance are able to accomplish adequate fit is unresolved. We used new theory and methodological approaches underpinned by interdisciplinary network analysis to address this gap by investigating three governance challenges that relate to the problem of fit: shared management of ecological resources, management of interconnected ecological resources, and crossscale management. We first identified a set of social-ecological network configurations that represent the hypothesized ways in which collaborative arrangements can contribute to addressing these challenges. Using social and ecological data from a large-scale biodiversity conservation initiative in Australia, we empirically determined how well the observed patterns of stakeholder interactions reflect these network configurations. We found that stakeholders collaborate to manage individual parcels of native vegetation, but not for the management of interconnected parcels. In addition, our data show that the collaborative arrangements enable management across different scales (local, regional, supraregional). Our study provides empirical support for the ability of collaborative forms of governance to address the problem of fit, but also suggests that in some cases the establishment of bottom-up collaborative arrangements would likely benefit from specific guidance to facilitate the establishment of collaborations that better align with the ways ecological resources are interconnected across the landscape. In our case study region, this would improve the capacity of stakeholders to detect both the intended and unintended off-site impacts of management actions. Our approach offers an avenue for empirical evaluations of collaborative governance so that preconditions for effectiveness of environmental programs can be enhanced.

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Section: Theoretical Background: Social-ecological Fit Challenges Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Theoretical Background: Social-ecological Fit Challenges Andmentioning

confidence: 99%

Achieving social-ecological fit through bottom-up collaborative governance: an empirical investigation

Guerrero¹,

Bodin²,

McAllister³

et al. 2015

E&S

128

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, fit has been discussed as part of institutional dimensions of global environmental change (Young, 2002;Ekstrom and Young, 2009), resilience of social-ecological systems (Folke et al, 1998(Folke et al, /2007Galaz et al, 2008;Epstein et al, 2015), and common pool resources (Ostrom, 2007). Much has been written on how well governing systems "fit" ecological dynamics (e.g., Folke et al, 1998Folke et al, /2007Ekstrom and Young, 2009), and, more recently, on the fit between governing systems and social dynamics (e.g., Brown, 2003;Meek, 2013;Pittman et al, 2015). However, exactly what constitutes a good fit and how such fit can be achieved remains a research puzzle (Ekstrom and Young, 2009;Bodin et al, 2014).…”

Section: Theoretical Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For our purposes, governance describes the interactions of different actors and networks that formulate and implement conservation. By social dimensions we refer to the multilevel patterns of interaction between actors and organizations, their values, interests and social customs, and the processes and instruments that drive, support or constrain the practice of conservation (sensu Galaz et al, 2008;Meek, 2013;Epstein et al, 2015). This characterization recognizes that governance systems affect, are affected by, and are also a part of the broader suite of social dimensions that make up coastalmarine social-ecological systems.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Bridging for Better Conservation Fit in Indonesia's Coastal-Marine Systems

Berdej

Armitage

2016

Front. Mar. Sci.

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Efforts to improve the fit between conservation initiatives (e.g., marine protected areas, no-take zones) and the dynamic social dimensions of coastal-marine systems remain underdeveloped. We empirically illustrate here how opportunities to enhance "conservation fit" are influenced by bridging organizations that serve to (1) better align conservation initiatives with characteristics of the social context that influence conservation outcomes (e.g., institutions, culture, values, local practice), (2) foster coordinated and adaptive approaches to conservation that are reflective of multiple perspectives and knowledge, and (3) better connect people and conservation actions across jurisdictional and geographical boundaries. Qualitative methods were used in this research, including semi-structured interviews, observation of key events and meetings, and literature review. We draw from three coastal-marine conservation cases in Bali, Indonesia, that exemplify different approaches to bridging for conservation fit: the Bali MPA Network, the Nusa Penida MPA, and the East Buleleng Conservation Zone. Our synthesis of these cases identifies different strategies used by bridging organizations to deal with conservation fit issues, including their capacity to integrate actors and perspectives using flexible approaches, actualize hybrid forms of decision-making, build capacity and leadership, and foster cross-scale conservation and scale-bridging social networks. We also examine the limitations of bridging organizations and offer direction for future research for coastal-marine conservation in Indonesia specifically, and the Coral Triangle region generally. More broadly, this analysis contributes new insights on emerging forms of governance designed to deliberatively fit conservation initiatives to coastal-marine social-ecological systems experiencing rapid change.

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“…Cosens, 2013;Ekstrom and Young, 2009;Morrison, 2007;Nagendra and Ostrom, 2012;Ostrom, 1990); others have focussed on multi-stakeholder governance processes (e.g. Meek, 2013;Olsson et al, 2007;Wyborn, 2014); and some have taken a structural approach focusing on the interactions between governance actors (Bergsten et al, 2014;Bodin et al, 2014;Guerrero et al, 2015;Treml et al, 2015). Other studies have highlighted the problem through a managerial lens, identifying instances where management actions are not suited to the biophysical system of interest (Hobbs et al, 1993;Saunders and Briggs, 2002).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Accounting for the links between social and ecological systems for effective nature conservation

Gonzalez¹

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Environmental problems and their solutions are determined by the complex ways in which social and ecological systems interact. Yet knowledge on these interactions and the challenges they pose to biodiversity conservation is scarce. Analytical and planning approaches to help understand and account for these challenges are needed. This is particularly important in the context of conservation initiatives that take a collaborative multi-stakeholder approach to decision-making. Such initiatives face numerous challenges, including the problem of fit -when governance systems do not fit or match the characteristics of the biophysical system. In this thesis novel methodological approaches and existing social-ecological system frameworks are employed to investigate the problem of fit in the context of biodiversity conservation, and to demonstrate how the interactions between social and ecological systems can be accounted for in conservation planning.This thesis represents an important contribution to social-ecological research.I examine the relevance of the problem of fit to biodiversity conservation through a review of the challenges for the science of conservation planning related to a particular type of 'fit challenge': scale mismatch. A scale mismatch occurs when the scales for planning and implementing conservation actions do not match the scale of biophysical processes (Chapter 2, published in Conservation Biology). I identify how scale mismatches arise in association with the different stages of conservation planning (e.g. problem assessment, formulation of actions). I find that this type of fit challenge can result in partial solutions, ineffective actions, or actions that are not implemented. This review highlights the need for researchers and practitioners to understand and account for fit challenges in conservation research and management, and suggestions are provided on how this might be achieved.I investigate the problem of fit through an assessment of the capacity for collaborative conservation initiatives to address three key challenges associated to social-ecological fit:spatial scale mismatch (chapters 3 and 4), the common management of areas (chapter 4), and the management of interconnected ecological units (chapter 4). In these empirical studies I analyse data collected through semi-structured interviews and a survey of stakeholders involved in 'Gondwana Link', -a large-scale conservation initiative that aims to restore ecological connectivity in the south west of Australia.I characterise the interactions between stakeholders in this initiative as a conservation social network. I assess if the structure of the interactions enable the coordination of plans and actions across scales of planning and management (Chapter 3, published in iii Conservation Letters). I apply a novel network theoretical approach to statistically analyse the different forms of stakeholder interactions, including cross-scale collaboration. I find that the structure of stakeholder interactions predisposed cross-scale collabo...

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Forms of collaboration and social fit in wildlife management: A comparison of policy networks in Alaska

Cited by 30 publications

References 25 publications

Achieving social-ecological fit through bottom-up collaborative governance: an empirical investigation

Achieving social-ecological fit through bottom-up collaborative governance: an empirical investigation

Bridging for Better Conservation Fit in Indonesia's Coastal-Marine Systems

Accounting for the links between social and ecological systems for effective nature conservation

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