Re-integrating ecology into integrated landscape approaches

James Reed,Koen Kusters,Terry Sunderland,Davison Gumbo,Joli Rumi Borah,Houria Djoudi,Jos Barlow,Colas Chervier,Kaala B Moombe,Michael Balinga,Yves Laumonier,Elizabeth L Yuliani,Rachel Carmenta

doi:10.1007/s10980-021-01268-w

Abstract

ContextIntegrated landscape approaches (ILAs) that aim to balance conservation and development targets are increasingly promoted through science, policy, and the donor community. Advocates suggest that ILAs are viable implementing pathways for addressing global challenges such as biodiversity loss, poverty alleviation, and climate change mitigation and adaptation. However, we argue that recent advances in ILA research and discourse have tended to emphasize the social and governance dimensions, while overlooking ecological factors and inadequately considering potential trade-offs between the two fields.ObjectivesBy raising the issue of inadequate integration of ecology in ILAs and providing some general design suggestions, we aim to support and incentivise better design and practice of ILAs, supplementing existing design principles.MethodsIn this perspective we draw on the recent literature and our collective experience to highlight the need, and the means, to re-integrate ecology into landscape approaches.ResultsWe suggest that better incorporation of the ecological dimension requires the integration of two approaches: one focusing on conventional scientific studies of biodiversity and biophysical parameters; and the other focusing on the engagement of relevant stakeholders using various participatory methods. We provide some general guidelines for how these approaches can be incorporated within ILA design and implementation.ConclusionRe-integrating ecology into ILAs will not only improve ecological understanding (and related objectives, plans and monitoring), but will also generate insights into local and traditional knowledge, encourage transdisciplinary enquiry and reveal important conservation-development trade-offs and synergies.

Highlights

The persistent global challenges of biodiversity loss and food insecurity have led the scientific community to identify solutions that inform the development of more sustainable land-use policies
We provide some general guidelines for how these approaches can be incorporated within integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) design and implementation
Approaches that integrate objectives at the landscape scale have gained increasing support in the contemporary conservation and development discourse (Defries and Rosenzweig, 2010; Sayer et al 2013) and feature prominently in global policy debates and conventions for climate, food security, biodiversity and broader sustainable development. These increasingly people-centered approaches to land management attempt to provide a more balanced mechanism for addressing multiple and often competing interests inherent within complex, multifunctional landscapes. They are primarily characterised by integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) that seek to Landscape Ecol (2021) 36:2395–2407 reconcile conservation and development objectives by facilitating dialogue between relevant stakeholders, knowledge-holders, landholders, and power-holders to identify trade-offs and optimize synergies that enhance landscape sustainability and multifunctionality (Reed et al 2016)

Summary

Introduction

The persistent global challenges of biodiversity loss and food insecurity have led the scientific community to identify solutions that inform the development of more sustainable land-use policies. Approaches that integrate objectives at the landscape scale have gained increasing support in the contemporary conservation and development discourse (Defries and Rosenzweig, 2010; Sayer et al 2013) and feature prominently in global policy debates and conventions for climate, food security, biodiversity and broader sustainable development These increasingly people-centered approaches to land management attempt to provide a more balanced mechanism for addressing multiple and often competing interests inherent within complex, multifunctional landscapes. They are primarily characterised by integrated landscape approaches (ILAs) that seek to Landscape Ecol (2021) 36:2395–2407 reconcile conservation and development objectives by facilitating dialogue between relevant stakeholders, knowledge-holders, landholders, and power-holders (hereafter stakeholders) to identify trade-offs and optimize synergies that enhance landscape sustainability and multifunctionality (Reed et al 2016) By adopting both a broader spatial and disciplinary focus that better considers real-world complexity across a wider range of sectors and stakeholders, the perception is that over time, system threats, thresholds and feedbacks can be better understood. An approach that seeks to overcome disciplinary barriers (Barlow et al 2011; Sunderland et al 2017) and encourages sustained stakeholder interaction and involvement (Reed et al 2019) offers a number of practical and technical advantages (Lang et al 2012; Norstrom et al 2020)

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Conclusion