Table 1 Five recommendations for incorporating stewardship into the design and implementation of seascape restoration

From: A framework for just seascape restoration

Concept

Implementation Recommendations

References

Knowledge Coevolutiona:

Parallel advancement and mutual respect of both TK and WS systems

• Advancement of local ecological knowledge and skills through knowledge co-production

• Adoption of “Two-Eyed Seeing” approach

• Facilitate connections between holders of local-ecological knowledge, resource users, and government organizations

• Frequent check-ins and meetings

• Promote participation and open-discourse at all levels of planning

• Prioritize mutual respect and flexibility in understanding all perspectives

Ref. 76; Benayas et al.72; Bennett & Dearden73; Berkes65; Bethel et al.75;64; Chapman & Schott35; Clark & Miles74; Cooke et al. 2020; Crenshaw91; Denny & Fanning81; Elmer et al.58; Friedlander et al.67; Gagdil et al. 1993; Giles et al.82; Hall et al. 2020; Hall et al.70; Haraway 1991; Hastings et al.86; Hod et al.77; Kadykalo et al.60; Kleiber et al.89; Landovskis 2021; Leonard et al.85; Marshall83; McMillen et al.66; Merriam & Kim78; Nadasdy71; Ortega-Álvarez et al.69; Pilbeam et al.68; Reid et al.79; Rose62; Singeo & Ferguson31; Singeo et al.49; Thompson et al.80; Uprety et al.87; Virapongse et al.57; Vyas & Stephenson63; WWF et al.43; Zedalis88.

Participatory Processb: Equal opportunity for resource user involvement and incentives

• Identify resource user groups, perspectives, values, and backgrounds

• Use workshops, dynamic modeling, focus groups to identify project objectives with participants

• Build on extrinsic motivators: economic, social, physical or legal incentives

• Build on intrinsic motivators: ethics/values, autonomy, and self-actualization

• Consider alternative livelihoods

• Disseminate progress and results to reosurce users and community members

• Utilize existing participatory process resources

Ref. 54,59,61,100 ICAT 2020;56,101; NOAA 2015;69,96; Rodriguez-Martinez 2008; Sierra Castillo et al., forthcoming;94,95; Wright et al. 2022.

Equity:

Meaningful involvement of and respect for all individuals

• Familiarize and self-educate about disproportionate impact of issue to improve on four dimensions of equity (distributional, procedural, recognitional, and contextual)

• Incorporate equity thinking early and throughout the restoration process

• Privilege local knowledge and practices

• Encourage participation of people directly and indirectly impacted

• Identify local water rights and access, understand local power dynamics, strengthen community organizations, give local groups a greater voice in decision making

• Promote equal power and communication of ideas: identity-based programs, promoting engagement from marginalized and underrepresented identity groups

Ref. 40,104,105,107,116,120 Eger et al. 2022a52,58,106,108,110,111,115,117,118,121,122,137; UN 2015; UN DESA 2024109,119.

Adaptive Co-Managementc:

Promote collaborative and adaptable learning-based governance mechanisms

• Devote time to trust building/communication with resource users

• Consult with identified resource users, rights holders, and traditional owners to identify priorities, perspectives, and concerns regarding restoration

• Familiarize with local political structure and hierarchy

• Capacity building at the individual and government levels through training, social networks, conflict resolution mechanisms, and right holders’ identification

• Implement evidence-based management

• Be willing to reorganize the project to adapt to changing needs and outcomes

Ariza-Montobbio & Cuvi130; Armitage et al.123; Bodin et al.128; Cosens et al.129; Elmer et al.58; Everard39; Fabricius & Currie70,124,125,127,131,133; (or Niena et al. 2022);126,132,134,135,137,138; Shultz et al. 201557,136.

Consistent Monitoring:

Community-engagement to achieve long-term monitoring and upkeep

• Monitor coral health, ecological function, and social impact

• Training citizens and nonscientists in monitoring and maintenance

• Invest locally in monitoring resources

• Incorporate frequent check-ins with participants

• Allow for constant communication and feedback

Böstrom-Einarsson et al. 2020; Eger et al. 2022b54,57,58,69,95,140,141,142,143,144,145.

  1. Recommendations are listed with their definitions, implementation actions, and references.
  2. a Knowledge coevolution refers to the parallel advancement and mutual respect of both Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Western Science (WS) systems, without the intent to alter or merge one with the other35.
  3. b Participatory Processes (PP) are specific methods employed to achieve active participation by all members of a group in a decision-making process. The approach should give equal opportunities for everybody incolved59.
  4. c Adaptive co-management refers to flexible, community-based resource management systems tailored to specific places and situations, and are supported by collaboration with various organizations and communities at different levels137.
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