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Collaborative learning to unlock investments for functional ecological infrastructure: Bridging barriers in social-ecological systems in South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Angelstam, Per
  • Barnes, Garth
  • Elbakidze, Marine
  • Marais, Christo
  • Marsh, Alex
  • Polonsky, Sarah
  • Richardson, David M.
  • Rivers, Nina
  • Shackleton, Ross T.
  • Stafford, William

Abstract

Maintenance of functional ecological (or green) infrastructure is threatened by habitat conversion, fragmentation and loss, water scarcity, invasive species, climate change, resource extraction, poor policy implementation and societal inequity. Using South Africa as a case study, our transdisciplinary team identified actions likely to be effective in scaling up research and development projects that support implementation of policy about ecological infrastructure by active adaptive management. Based on expert knowledge at three scales, we analysed South Africa's opportunity to active adaptive management and to unlock investments that enhance functional ecological infrastructure. Barriers included lack of trust among actors, limited collaborative governance and integrated planning, including local partnerships; as well as a poor inclusion of evidence-based knowledge based on monitoring of landscape restoration efforts and its social and ecological consequences. Bridges include practicing transdisciplinary knowledge production, enhancing social learning among actors and stakeholders, and advocacy based on improved understanding. We propose a portfolio of place-based actions that could help to facilitate unlocking investments for functional ecological infrastructure by prioritising conservation, management and restoration through integrated cross-scale, collaborative and multi-sector spatial planning. Understanding the structure and dynamics of social-ecological systems, identifying champions, framing key messages for different audiences, and sharing failures and success stories internationally, are crucial requirements to unlock investments.

Suggested Citation

  • Angelstam, Per & Barnes, Garth & Elbakidze, Marine & Marais, Christo & Marsh, Alex & Polonsky, Sarah & Richardson, David M. & Rivers, Nina & Shackleton, Ross T. & Stafford, William, 2017. "Collaborative learning to unlock investments for functional ecological infrastructure: Bridging barriers in social-ecological systems in South Africa," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(PB), pages 291-304.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecoser:v:27:y:2017:i:pb:p:291-304
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoser.2017.04.012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. María del Carmen Redondo Bermúdez & Juan Miguel Kanai & Janice Astbury & Verónica Fabio & Anna Jorgensen, 2022. "Green Fences for Buenos Aires: Implementing Green Infrastructure for (More than) Air Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Angelstam, Per & Elbakidze, Marine & Axelsson, Robert & Khoroshev, Alexander & Pedroli, Bas & Tysiachniouk, Maria & Zabubenin, Evgeny, 2019. "Model forests in Russia as landscape approach: Demonstration projects or initiatives for learning towards sustainable forest management?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 96-110.
    4. Sigwela, Ayanda & Elbakidze, Marine & Powell, Mike & Angelstam, Per, 2017. "Defining core areas of ecological infrastructure to secure rural livelihoods in South Africa," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 27(PB), pages 272-280.
    5. Rasmussen, Laura Vang & Fold, Niels & Olesen, Rasmus Skov & Shackleton, Sheona, 2021. "Socio-economic outcomes of ecological infrastructure investments," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 47(C).
    6. Fanqi Zou & Tinghui Li, 2022. "The Impact of Agricultural Ecological Capital Investment on the Development of Green Circular Economy," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-21, March.
    7. Marine Elbakidze & Mersha Gebrehiwot & Per Angelstam & Taras Yamelynets & Diana Surová, 2018. "Defining Priority Land Covers that Secure the Livelihoods of Urban and Rural People in Ethiopia: a Case Study Based on Citizens’ Preferences," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-23, May.
    8. A. Iasmina Roman & Volker Mauerhofer, 2019. "Multilevel Coordination and Cooperation during Implementing Supranational Environmental Legislation: A Case Study on Invasive Alien Species," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, March.
    9. Deely, John & Hynes, Stephen & Barquín, José & Burgess, Diane & Finney, Graham & Silió, Ana & Álvarez-Martínez, Jose Manuel & Bailly, Denis & Ballé-Béganton, Johanna, 2020. "Barrier identification framework for the implementation of blue and green infrastructures," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    10. Rodgers, Waymond & Degbey, William Y. & Housel, Thomas J. & Arslan, Ahmad, 2020. "Microfoundations of collaborative networks: The impact of social capital formation and learning on investment risk assessment," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
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    12. Ogbo O.G & Amaechi M. & Okonkwo U.C., 2024. "Environmental and Social Impact of Sand Mining Activities Along the Odene-Aguleri River, Anambra State Nigeria," International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), vol. 8(6), pages 193-207, June.

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