A systems approach framework for evaluating tree restoration interventions for social and ecological outcomes in rural tropical landscapes

Marion Pfeifer; Susannah M. Sallu; Andrew R. Marshall; Stephen Rushton; Eleanor Moore; Deo D. Shirima; Josephine Smit; Esther Kioko; Lauren Barnes; Catherine Waite; Leander Raes; Laura Braunholtz; Pieter I. Olivier; Evodius Ishengoma; Sam Bowers; Sergio Guerreiro-Milheiras

doi:10.1098/rstb.2021.0111

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A systems approach framework for evaluating tree restoration interventions for social and ecological outcomes in rural tropical landscapes

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A systems approach framework for evaluating tree restoration interventions for social and ecological outcomes in rural tropical landscapes

Marion Pfeifer, Susannah M. Sallu, Andrew R. Marshall, Stephen Rushton, Eleanor Moore, Deo D. Shirima, Josephine Smit, Esther Kioko, Lauren Barnes, Catherine Waite, …

Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions B. Biological Sciences, Vol.378(1867), pp.1-15

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2021.0111

PMID: 36373913

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Abstract

Coupled Human And Natural Systems

Ecosystem Disservices

Ecosystem Services

Forest Landscape Restoration

Part Ii: Restoration Planning And Evaluation

Predictive Modelling

Systems Modelling

The science guiding design and evaluation of restoration interventions in tropical landscapes is dominated by ecological processes and outcomes and lacks indicators and methods that integrate human wellbeing into the restoration process. We apply a new systems approach framework for tree restoration in forest-agricultural landscapes to show how this shortcoming can be addressed. Demonstrating ‘proof of concept’, we tested statistical models underlying the framework pathways with data collected from a case study in Tanzania. Local community perceptions of nature's values were not affected by levels of self-reported wildlife-induced crop damage. But mapped predictions from the systems approach under a tree restoration scenario suggested differential outcomes for biodiversity indicators and altered spatial patterns of crop damage risk, expected to jeopardize human wellbeing. The predictions map anticipated trade-offs in costs and benefits of restoration scenarios, which we have started to explore with stakeholders to identify restoration opportunities that consider local knowledge, value systems and human wellbeing. We suggest that the framework be applied to other landscapes to identify commonalities and differences in forest landscape restoration outcomes under varying governance and land use systems. This should form a foundation for evidence-based implementation of the global drive for forest landscape restoration, at local scales. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Understanding forest landscape restoration: reinforcing scientific foundations for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration’.

Details

Title: A systems approach framework for evaluating tree restoration interventions for social and ecological outcomes in rural tropical landscapes
Authors: Marion Pfeifer (Corresponding Author) - Newcastle University
Susannah M. Sallu (Author) - University of Leeds
Andrew R. Marshall (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Stephen Rushton (Author) - Newcastle University
Eleanor Moore (Author) - Newcastle University
Deo D. Shirima (Author) - Sokoine University of Agriculture
Josephine Smit (Author)
Esther Kioko (Author) - National Museums of Kenya
Lauren Barnes (Author) - Modelling, Evidence and Policy RG, SNES, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 7RU, UK
Catherine Waite (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Forest Research Institute
Leander Raes (Author) - International Union for Conservation of Nature
Laura Braunholtz (Author) - Newcastle University
Pieter I. Olivier (Author) - University of Pretoria
Evodius Ishengoma (Author) - Sokoine University of Agriculture
Sam Bowers (Author) - University of Edinburgh
Sergio Guerreiro-Milheiras (Author) - Newcastle University
Publication details: Royal Society of London. Philosophical Transactions B. Biological Sciences, Vol.378(1867), pp.1-15
Publisher: The Royal Society Publishing
Date published: 2023
DOI: 10.1098/rstb.2021.0111
ISSN: 1471-2970; 0962-8436
PMID: 36373913
Copyright note: © 2022 The Authors. Published by the Royal Society under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/, which permits unrestricted use, provided the original author and source are credited.
Grant note: BB/S014586/1 / Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100000268)
Organisation Unit: Tropical Forests and People Research Centre; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Forest Research Institute
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99690698202621
Output Type: Journal article