Periodic Reporting for period 1 - SocioEcoFrontiers (Frontiers in social-ecological research: achieving the promise of integration in Marine Spatial Planning for resilient social and environmental outcomes)
Période du rapport: 2020-04-16 au 2022-04-15
People and nature are inextricably linked. Overcoming global challenges (e.g. food security and sustainable development) thus requires an integrated social-ecological perspective. Although essential for achieving international nature-development goals (e.g. Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services – IPBES; Blue Growth agenda; Sustainable Development Goals - SDG), the operationalization of social-ecological integration remains challenging. In particular, functional integration (i.e. bridging of science with policy or practice) is crucial for social and ecological resilience in light of current environmental change.
Focusing on coastal and marine social-ecological systems (SES) and marine spatial planning (MSP), I combined semi-structured interviews and case study analyses to critically explore conditions facilitating or hindering social-ecological integration at international and national scales and enhance benefits of using integrative approaches. A impactful case-study (small-scale fisheries in São Tomé and Príncipe) allowed me to undertake a comprehensive analysis of these issues and their implications for marine biodiversity and human wellbeing, including socio-economic and gender aspects. I identified main challenges and opportunities in achieving social-ecological integration and highlighted recommendations for conservation practitioners and planners. In addition, based on collaborative efforts among 16 researchers, 12 case studies conducted by the authors in a variety of social-ecological settings were used to critically analyse progress towards social-ecological integration and identify motivations, approaches, barriers and enablers for integrative research to address sustainability challenges.
By reframing environmental sciences as a field centred on social-ecological dynamics, this project aimed to bring science and society together in a common effort to deal with sustainability challenges, while advancing cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral (academic and non-academic) knowledge exchange and facilitating academic development (researcher and host organization).
Focusing on coastal and marine social-ecological systems (SES) and marine spatial planning (MSP), I combined semi-structured interviews and case study analyses to critically explore conditions facilitating or hindering social-ecological integration at international and national scales and enhance benefits of using integrative approaches. A impactful case-study (small-scale fisheries in São Tomé and Príncipe) allowed me to undertake a comprehensive analysis of these issues and their implications for marine biodiversity and human wellbeing, including socio-economic and gender aspects. I identified main challenges and opportunities in achieving social-ecological integration and highlighted recommendations for conservation practitioners and planners. In addition, based on collaborative efforts among 16 researchers, 12 case studies conducted by the authors in a variety of social-ecological settings were used to critically analyse progress towards social-ecological integration and identify motivations, approaches, barriers and enablers for integrative research to address sustainability challenges.
By reframing environmental sciences as a field centred on social-ecological dynamics, this project aimed to bring science and society together in a common effort to deal with sustainability challenges, while advancing cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral (academic and non-academic) knowledge exchange and facilitating academic development (researcher and host organization).
Overall, my research has critically analysed the progress made in achieving social-ecological integration through marine spatial planning (MSP). This has resulted in:
i) findings synthesising insights from a wide range of stakeholders involved in an MSP approach to support co-design and proposal of marine protected areas; and
ii) a comparative analysis (12 case studies worldwide) of motivations, approaches, barriers and enablers for social-ecological research to address sustainability challenges.
Ultimately, this line of research aimed to facilitate greater uptake of social-ecological tools and interventions within the research, practice and policy communities.
Importantly, I have also established myself as an independent researcher that works across the academic and consultancy sectors. This gives me access to a wider range of opportunities where my skills are effectively valued.
i) findings synthesising insights from a wide range of stakeholders involved in an MSP approach to support co-design and proposal of marine protected areas; and
ii) a comparative analysis (12 case studies worldwide) of motivations, approaches, barriers and enablers for social-ecological research to address sustainability challenges.
Ultimately, this line of research aimed to facilitate greater uptake of social-ecological tools and interventions within the research, practice and policy communities.
Importantly, I have also established myself as an independent researcher that works across the academic and consultancy sectors. This gives me access to a wider range of opportunities where my skills are effectively valued.
Social-ecological systems (SES) research points to different ways in which social-ecological integration can occur – conceptual (i.e. considering both social and ecological system components and their interactions), disciplinary (i.e. incorporating approaches from multiple disciplines), methodological (i.e. incorporating multiple frameworks, tools and/or theories and using both qualitative and quantitative methods) and functional (i.e. bridging science with policy or practice through the integration of different stakeholders and researchers in the research process and the merging of conceptual with problem-solving approaches to identify actionable recommendations). Although the potential of mainstreamed and integrated SES approaches is often not fully realised, several approaches have been proposed to achieve management that better integrates the social and ecological dimensions of resource systems. Using 12 case studies all over the word, applications, challenges and opportunities to mainstream integrative approaches are identified. This included a reflection on how early career researchers perceive and experience these challenges and what opportunities should be promoted for transformative training and sustainability initiatives.
Integrative social-ecological approaches are crucial for addressing sustainability challenges in coastal and marine systems. Among these, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a pivotal approach for integrated management. Often, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the application of MSP occur in parallel. Given the potential synergies, there is a need to better understand and address barriers to the adoption of MSP approaches for integrative conservation mechanisms. Using São Tomé and Príncipe as a case study, I illustrated how MSP was employed as an operational framework for establishing an MPA network. For example, applying MSP was perceived to contribute substantially to multiple project goals, with some (e.g. incorporating perspectives and needs of vulnerable groups) more challenging to achieve. While MSP enhanced conceptual, disciplinary, methodological and functional integration, practical challenges in implementation hindered the extent to which each of these was achieved. This case study illustrated how MSP can promote social-ecological integration, but resource and time constraints, combined with complexity on the ground, prevent MSP from achieving its full potential. Challenges faced were particularly related to data requirements, stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral considerations, with the realities of MSP often contrasting with its conceptual ideals. These reflections on enablers and barriers ultimately contribute to a realistic reflection on the implementation of MSP in conservation, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Ultimately, this knowledge will provide critical insights into how to improve the robustness of management decisions, with implications for the social and ecological resilience of SES.
Integrative social-ecological approaches are crucial for addressing sustainability challenges in coastal and marine systems. Among these, Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) emerges as a pivotal approach for integrated management. Often, the establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the application of MSP occur in parallel. Given the potential synergies, there is a need to better understand and address barriers to the adoption of MSP approaches for integrative conservation mechanisms. Using São Tomé and Príncipe as a case study, I illustrated how MSP was employed as an operational framework for establishing an MPA network. For example, applying MSP was perceived to contribute substantially to multiple project goals, with some (e.g. incorporating perspectives and needs of vulnerable groups) more challenging to achieve. While MSP enhanced conceptual, disciplinary, methodological and functional integration, practical challenges in implementation hindered the extent to which each of these was achieved. This case study illustrated how MSP can promote social-ecological integration, but resource and time constraints, combined with complexity on the ground, prevent MSP from achieving its full potential. Challenges faced were particularly related to data requirements, stakeholder engagement and cross-sectoral considerations, with the realities of MSP often contrasting with its conceptual ideals. These reflections on enablers and barriers ultimately contribute to a realistic reflection on the implementation of MSP in conservation, and the challenges and opportunities it presents. Ultimately, this knowledge will provide critical insights into how to improve the robustness of management decisions, with implications for the social and ecological resilience of SES.