The Role of Relational Values in Conservation Planning for Multifunctional Landscapes

Conservation efforts are expanding from protected areas into landscapes where human activities and nature coexist. Traditional conservation planning, which relies on ecological and economic metrics, is often inadequate for these complex socio-ecological systems. This review explores the integration of relational values, the meaningful connections people form with nature, into conservation planning for these multifunctional landscapes, addressing a gap in the current literature. A review of recent literature confirms a growing but still limited adoption of relational values in conservation planning. Key findings show that successful conservation in multifunctional landscapes requires integrating ecological knowledge with social, economic, and cultural considerations through robust stakeholder engagement. However, challenges persist, including conflicts between stakeholder priorities. Furthermore, there is a lack of standardized methods for measuring both landscape multifunctionality and the plural values people hold, which can stall conservation efforts. To be more effective, conservation planning must move beyond its traditional focus and adopt a holistic approach grounded in strong ecological data and genuine engagement with diverse human values. Recognizing and incorporating relational values is needed for developing legitimate plans that inspire long-term stewardship. Achieving conservation goals necessitates a portfolio approach, using a range of tools from protected areas to incentive programs, to create resilient landscapes that benefit both people and nature. Future success depends on bridging the gap between conservation theory and on-the-ground implementation by genuinely including plural value systems in the planning process.