Talking as friends: Weaving local and scientific knowledge to co‐produce an integrated index to assess rangeland multifunctionality in a dryland Biosphere Reserve in Mexico

Abstract The complexity of sustainability challenges and the need for transformative change have prompted the exploration of novel approaches for knowledge co‐generation and decision‐making. This calls for integrative assessment methods that meaningfully include and represent diverse knowledge systems, capturing multiple values, needs and interests as a strong basis for decision‐making. We present a case study from a dryland biosphere reserve that details our experience in co‐designing participatory monitoring of a sand dune dominated landscape. We wove together local ranchers' and scientific knowledge systems to co‐create an integrated index for monitoring rangeland multifunctionality. This paper focuses on the process of co‐creation and how it can be used to develop actionable knowledge that is essential for tackling the complex challenges faced by extensively managed social‐ecological systems. We demonstrate the significance of establishing a collaborative partnership between interdisciplinary researchers and local ranchers. This partnership was crucial for developing a profound shared understanding of the complex ecohydrological function of the sand dune landscape and its relationship with livestock production, which enabled the co‐creation of the Integrated Rangeland Multifunctionality Index (IRMI). The co‐production process ensured equitable inclusion of diverse knowledge systems in management decision‐making. Our proposed participatory research method is not about simply adding or comparing different knowledge systems. Instead, it is a method for generating integrated quantitative indices based on a shared understanding of rangeland health. This approach can be applied to other social‐ecological systems more broadly, to promote ecosystem health while accounting for future changes in climate, land tenure and market conditions. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.