Science Embedded in Local Forest Landscape Management Improves Benefit Flows to Society

Abstract

There is a global shift of forest management to local levels to better reconcile local livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. We argue that achieving such outcomes will require embedding science in landscape-scale management systems. We show that science can contribute to local learning and adaptation within landscape contexts. Complexity and power relations have hampered scientists' efforts to engage with the people who use and influence the use of resources at landscape scales. Landscape approaches present an opportunity for science to help steer local management to address local contexts. We have conducted research at the interface of policy and management at landscape scales. More effort must go toward transdisciplinary approaches to co-generate knowledge and create "Communities of Commitment" for continual learning and adaptation amongst landscape-scale actors. Embedded science incorporating local knowledge and contexts and engaged in landscape scale development processes is necessary for improving decision and policy-making.

An island in transition: governing conservation and development in Seram, Indonesia

“…Our embedded science approach uses transdisciplinary problem-framing to determine what the problems are, and sustainability science to cogenerate knowledge for better decision-making to solve emergent problems (Chambers, 2014;Polk, 2014;Lang et al, 2012;Clark, 2007;Langston et al, 2019). Our transdisciplinary research team is comprised of people trained in anthropology, geography, aquaculture, conservation planning, forestry, ecology, and economics.…”

“…Recent examples in Indonesia show NGOs and researchers can facilitate interactions between communities, government, and private actors necessary to drive collaboration and communication for improved natural resource stewardship (Ruysschaert & Hufty, 2018;Fisher et al, 2017). Early involvement of local communities in decision making will be integral to this process, made possible by the willingness of investors and government to deliver local benefits (Langston et al, 2019).…”

“…Power over how natural resources, especially forest-estate lands, are utilized and conserved is distributed between State, local governments, and traditional governance systems in diverse ways. In line with global trends, momentum continues to shift toward a 'distribution' of a bundle of rights regarding tenure arrangements that claims to favour local communities (Erbaugh, 2019;Langston et al, 2019). Some levy criticism that state distribution of decision-making power to local people is not empowering community management, and is not succeeding in achieving the dual goals of poverty reduction and halting environmental degradation, because it is imposed or allocated by outsiders (De Royer et al, 2018).…”

Towards Sustainable Forest Management in Central America: Review of Southern Pine Beetle (Dendroctonus frontalis Zimmermann) Outbreaks, Their Causes, and Solutions

“…Moreover, forest pest solutions should mainly focus on integrating management approaches regionally, rather than within single countries [77]. Forest landscapes are complex socio-ecological systems that demand collaborative transdisciplinary problem framing [78]. From a landscape perspective, sustainable forest management needs to be integrated with the management of adjacent areas.…”

Learning from Local Perceptions for Strategic Road Development in Cambodia’s Protected Forests

“…That means problems must be framed collaboratively (Brondizio, 2017), relevant to locally contextualized development problems, with the inclusion of local decision makers. Solutions must be perceived as credible both within and outside the scientific community (Langston et al, 2019;Wall, McNie, & Garfin, 2017). Through partnerships and stakeholder forums, scientists have the opportunity to influence decisions that improve sustainability, as well as learn from their implementation.…”