Overcoming Challenges to Large Scale Assisted Ecosystem Adaptation: A Conceptual Framework for Engagement

Abstract

Conventional conservation and resource management strategies are, on their own, becoming less viable in the face of climate change and associated impacts. Assisted regional ecosystem adaptation is emerging as an option to preserve and maintain ecosystem integrity and functionality. However, decision-makers need to be increasingly aware of the challenges and opportunities posed by the engagement of broad and diverse communities potentially exposed to assisted regional ecosystem adaptation. While these challenges have been explored in the literature, the identification of strategies to overcome them has not been equally articulated. This research seeks to address this gap, focusing on assisted adaptation involving the deployment of novel technology in large-scale ecosystems. Drawing on a review of 824 reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts and books on participation theory and experience with novel technology development and assisted ecosystem adaptation, we identified four categories of strategies to be considered in addressing and overcoming large-scale ecosystem adaptation engagement related challenges: 1) strategies for understanding public acceptance; 2) models and frameworks for the governance of complex and uncertain risks; 3) public involvement and stakeholder engagement in technology assessment; 4) and frameworks, tools, and strategies for public deliberation. Building on these strategies, we present a conceptual framework that provides a basis for community engagement in assisted ecosystem adaptation.

Keywords: Assisted ecosystem adaptation, ecosystem restoration, Governance, stakeholder engagement, collaborative learning, risk management