Abstract
This paper analyses the governance of MPAs through 28 case studies in 15 countries. Limitations of the polycentric governance concept are discussed, particularly its faith in linkages as a means of resolving conflicts and its assumption that the state should only take a passive role. The concept of coevolutionary governance is described and justified, noting that this essentially builds on polycentrism’s systematic case study analysis approach, but evolves it to move beyond its limitations. Coevolutionary governance takes a synecology perspective to analyse how incentives coevolve through their functional integration, as well as how social and ecological systems can coevolve through the feedback mechanisms of human impacts and ecological services. Drawing on the wider concept of multi-level governance, coevolutionary governance is considered to provide for synergies between governance approaches, proposing that coordination can be achieved and conflicts addressed through reconfigured roles of the state providing steer through governance in ‘the shadow of hierarchy’. The MPAG empirical framework is described and the findings of its application outlined. Drawing on these findings, some key trends within and amongst five categories of incentives are explored. These illustrate that incentives synergistically interact in a way that is analogous to synecology, providing for them to be functionally integrated as a means of combining governance approaches. As such, it is argued that these findings support the validity of the coevolutionary governance concept, as well as supporting the argument that “diversity is the key to resilience, both of species in ecosystems and incentives in governance systems”.
Highlights
This paper: 1) sets out the underlying theoretical concept for the marine protected area governance (MPAG) analysis framework; 2) de tails the MPAG framework methodology and rationale; 3) provides an overview of 28 case studies from 15 countries (Fig. 1) that have applied this framework and feature in this special section of Marine Policy; and 4) discusses some broad patterns and trends in these case studies (Fig. 1), with implications for marine resource governance in MPAs and beyond
The concept of coevolutionary governance is described and justified, noting that this essentially builds on polycentrism’s systematic case study analysis approach, but evolves it to move beyond its limitations
Coevolutionary governance takes a synecology perspective to analyse how incentives coevolve through their functional integration, as well as how social and ecological systems can coevolve through the feedback mechanisms of human impacts and ecological services (Fig. 2)
Summary
This paper: 1) sets out the underlying theoretical concept for the marine protected area governance (MPAG) analysis framework; 2) de tails the MPAG framework methodology and rationale; 3) provides an overview of 28 case studies from 15 countries (Fig. 1) that have applied this framework and feature in this special section of Marine Policy; and 4) discusses some broad patterns and trends in these case studies (Fig. 1), with implications for marine resource governance in MPAs and beyond. “At least 10% of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem services, are conserved through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and well-connected systems of protected areas and other effective areabased conservation measures, and integrated into the wider landscape and seascapes” [3] This is incorporated into Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 14.5, which is that at least 10% of coastal and marine areas are conserved by 2020 [4]. It cannot be overemphasised that MPAs must achieve their conservation goals in a manner which is equitable, if they are to support the delivery of other SDGs and targets
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