Considering diverse knowledge systems in forest landscape restoration

Abstract

If forest landscape restoration (FLR) aims towards living sustainably within landscapes and restoring degraded socio-ecological systems, then integrating lessons of Traditional and Western knowledge systems can inform this effort (c.f. Ruiz-Mallen and Corbera, 2013). Knowledge systems represent much more than repositories of timeless information useful to today's managers and restorationists: they are intricately coupled human and natural systems that have evolved through intergenerational and community-based stewardship of natural resources. In this context, Berkes (2007) cautions that viewing community-based conservation as a panacea ignores the complexity and depth that must be considered when engaging communities and their knowledge in conservation activities. Rather, effective and equitable strategies for integrating multiple knowledge systems in the context of FLR necessarily involve: (i) respectful engagement of the holders of complementary but sometimes conflicting knowledge systems; (ii) identification of legacy drivers of degradation so as to be able to mitigate threats while decolonizing current approaches to FLR that can hinder effective communication and can prevent crosssectoral policy coordination and governance; (iii) integrating the broadly collaborative processes that often define landscape management approaches within other knowledge or management systems; and so (iv) creating processes that facilitate the opening up of Western, agency-driven models of governance to allow more collaborative and community-based approaches for real engagement (Berkes, 2007).

Citation

Lake, Frank K.; Giardina, Christian P.; Parrotta, John A.; Davidson-Hunt, Iain. 2018. Considering diverse knowledge systems in forest landscape restoration. In: Mansourian, S., Parrotta, J., eds. Forest Landscape Restoration: Integrated approaches to support effective implementation. New York: Routledge: 37-46. Chapter 3.