Accounting for human–nature linkages in area‐based conservation monitoring through social–ecological indicator bundles

As the coverage of area-based conservation increases across the globe, it is critical to improve understanding of the social and ecological outcomes of such measures and the pathways to their outcomes. A social-ecological systems approach to monitoring and evaluation is increasingly advocated; yet, applications remain scarce. We sought to facilitate operationalization of this approach through prioritization of indicators when resources are scarce and to improve capture of social-ecological interactions. We convened a working group of practitioners and academics to explore linked social and ecological interactions through a case study of marine protected areas (MPAs). We used causal models (implemented through causal loop diagrams) in participatory and future-oriented approaches to identify interactions among key nodes of the system that can be a focus of monitoring. These nodes and their interactions provided insight into linked indicators of key system components, for example, biomass, compliance, perceived legitimacy, catches, and perceived fairness. We called these indicator bundles. Indicator bundles can be applied to analyze causal modeling diagrams, identify essential elements to monitor, and inform analytical and reporting protocols. The bundles can also help identify key leverage points for adaptive management to improve outcomes of existing interventions. This approach can inform monitoring and evaluation and, ultimately, the design and adaptive management of conservation areas that maximize social and ecological benefits and minimize negative trade-offs.

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Publication Details

Journal
Conservation Biology
Published
2025-09-29
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.70156
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Forest Management and Policy
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.11

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article

Accounting for human–nature linkages in area‐based conservation monitoring through social–ecological indicator bundles

Dana Baker, Luisa Ramírez, Gerald G. Singh, Nathan James Bennett et al.
1 citations
Conservation Biology
Forest Management and Policy
1.11
article

Accounting for human–nature linkages in area‐based conservation monitoring through social–ecological indicator bundles

Dana Baker, Luisa Ramírez, Gerald G. Singh, Nathan James Bennett, Natalie C. Ban, Emily Rubidge, Arielle Levine, Rebecca Martone, Natascia Tamburello, Lindsay Aylesworth, Joachim Claudet, Anne K. Salomon, Georgina G. Gurney, Anna Schuhbauer, Stefan Gelcich, Mairi C. Meehan, David Gill, Fiona Beaty, Jenn M. Burt, Avery Maloney, Mark H. Carr, Mark Andrachuk
article en
1 citations

Abstract

As the coverage of area-based conservation increases across the globe, it is critical to improve understanding of the social and ecological outcomes of such measures and the pathways to their outcomes. A social-ecological systems approach to monitoring and evaluation is increasingly advocated; yet, applications remain scarce. We sought to facilitate operationalization of this approach through prioritization of indicators when resources are scarce and to improve capture of social-ecological interactions. We convened a working group of practitioners and academics to explore linked social and ecological interactions through a case study of marine protected areas (MPAs). We used causal models (implemented through causal loop diagrams) in participatory and future-oriented approaches to identify interactions among key nodes of the system that can be a focus of monitoring. These nodes and their interactions provided insight into linked indicators of key system components, for example, biomass, compliance, perceived legitimacy, catches, and perceived fairness. We called these indicator bundles. Indicator bundles can be applied to analyze causal modeling diagrams, identify essential elements to monitor, and inform analytical and reporting protocols. The bundles can also help identify key leverage points for adaptive management to improve outcomes of existing interventions. This approach can inform monitoring and evaluation and, ultimately, the design and adaptive management of conservation areas that maximize social and ecological benefits and minimize negative trade-offs.

Conservation BiologyVol. 39(6)
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (FR), University of Tasmania (AU), National Park Service (US), Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (US), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (CA), Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (CA), University of British Columbia (CA), École Pratique des Hautes Études (FR), Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (CL), Duke University (US), Simon Fraser University (CA), University of California, Santa Cruz (US), University of Victoria (CA), San Diego State University (US), SUNY Cobleskill (US), United States Agency for International Development (US), Marine Conservation Institute (US), Centre National pour la Recherche Scientifique et Technique (CNRST) (MA), World Wildlife Fund (US), Center of Applied Ecology & Sustainability (CL), Centre for Marine Socioecology (AU), International Union for Conservation of Nature (CH), Vancouver Native Health Society (CA), Nature Conservancy of Canada (CA), University of Guelph (CA), James Cook University (AU)
University of Washington, Tula Foundation, EarthLab, University of Washington, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, Ocean Nexus Center, EarthLab, University of Washington
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Forest Management and Policy
1.11
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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