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Frietsch M, Pacheco-Romero M, Temperton VM, Kaplin BA, Fischer J. The social-ecological ladder of restoration ambition. AMBIO 2024; 53:1251-1261. [PMID: 38652237 PMCID: PMC11300751 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-024-02021-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Expanding in both scope and scale, ecosystem restoration needs to embrace complex social-ecological dynamics. To help scientists and practitioners navigate ever new demands on restoration, we propose the "social-ecological ladder of restoration ambition" as a conceptual model to approach dynamically shifting social and ecological restoration goals. The model focuses on three dynamic aspects of restoration, namely degrading processes, restoration goals and remedial actions. As these three change through time, new reinforcing and balancing feedback mechanisms characterize the restoration process. We illustrate our model through case studies in which restoration has become increasingly ambitious through time, namely forest landscape restoration in Rwanda and grassland restoration in Germany. The ladder of restoration ambition offers a new way of applying social-ecological systems thinking to ecosystem restoration. Additionally, it raises awareness of social-ecological trade-offs, power imbalances and conflicting goals in restoration projects, thereby laying an important foundation for finding more practicable and fairer solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Frietsch
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany.
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Manuel Pacheco-Romero
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
- Department of Biology and Geology, Andalusian Center for the Assessment and Monitoring of Global Change (CAESCG), University of Almería, Almería, Spain
| | - Vicky M Temperton
- Institute of Ecology, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University Lüneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Beth A Kaplin
- Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, University of Rwanda, Kigali, Rwanda
- School for the Environment, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joern Fischer
- Social-Ecological Systems Institute, School of Sustainability, Leuphana University, Lueneburg, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
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Ndikubwimana JB, Anangwe KA, Mwimali JB, Charles KM, Nyarwath O. A re-conceptualisation of the Batwa's right to recognition as a minority and indigenous people in Rwanda: A human rights-based approach. Heliyon 2024; 10:e30848. [PMID: 38770293 PMCID: PMC11103476 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
There have been divergent views by various human rights scholars and actors on how to address the question of vulnerability among indigenous and minority groups in Rwanda. Even though factors influencing vulnerability among these groups have received increasing scholarly attention, findings from these studies fall short of reflecting on the role of identity and discrimination. Whereas the government in Rwanda after the 1994 genocide sought to enhance unity and reconciliation by outlawing all ethnic identities, and instead conflating all vulnerable groups into a nomenclature namely, a Historically Marginalised People (HMP), a divergent group of scholars, human rights activists, the United Nations and African Union's instruments of human rights describe this approach as antithetical to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous and minority groups. Using the human rights-based approach, this paper critically interrogates the issue of identity and how it has affected the enjoyment of the rights among the minority and indigenous Batwa people in Rwanda. The study employed a qualitative research design with data collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) as well as in-depth interviews (IDIs). Respondents included members of the Batwa community, officials of selected public institutions, leaders in Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and cooperative societies working towards the promotion of rights of the HMP. Data analysis involved the process of transcription and coding of data and the eventual reflexive thematic analysis. The findings show that the rights of the Batwa community to recognition and self-identity have varied meanings and implications to different members of the community as well as officials from public institutions and other relevant actors. To the existing research, the study affirms that the inconsistencies surrounding the Batwa's identity have accentuated their vulnerability. In terms of policy, the study suggests that in the short run, the Batwa community may require enhanced special temporary social protection measures in order to ameliorate their conundrum arising from identity ambiguity without compromising Rwanda's national unity. Further studies, should consider the role of land, forest and culture in further marginalising the Batwa, as well as quantitative methodology for inferential analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Oriare Nyarwath
- Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi, Kenya
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Frietsch M, Loos J, Löhr K, Sieber S, Fischer J. Future-proofing ecosystem restoration through enhancing adaptive capacity. Commun Biol 2023; 6:377. [PMID: 37029278 PMCID: PMC10082013 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04736-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Social-ecological ecosystem restoration involves interacting challenges, including climate change, resource overexploitation and political instability. To prepare for these and other emerging threats, we synthesized key restoration and social-ecological systems literature and derived three guiding themes that can help to enhance the adaptive capacity of restoration sites: (i) work with the existing system, (ii) create self-sustaining, adaptive systems, and (iii) foster diversity and participation. We propose a two-step approach and provide an example from Rwanda detailing the application of these principles. While site-specific activities have to be designed and implemented by local practitioners, our synthesis can guide forward-thinking restoration practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Frietsch
- Leuphana University, Social-Ecological Systems Institute, Faculty of Sustainability, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany.
- University of Rwanda, Center of Excellence in Biodiversity and Natural Resource Management, KN 7 Ave, Kigali, Rwanda.
| | - Jacqueline Loos
- Leuphana University, Social-Ecological Systems Institute, Faculty of Sustainability, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
- Leuphana University, Institute of Ecology, Faculty of Sustainability, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Löhr
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 85, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Urban Plant Ecophysiology, Lentzeallee 55/57, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Stefan Sieber
- Leibniz Centre for Agricultural Landscape Research (ZALF), Eberswalder Straße 85, 15374, Müncheberg, Germany
- Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Thaer-Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Sciences, Resource Economics, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany
| | - Joern Fischer
- Leuphana University, Social-Ecological Systems Institute, Faculty of Sustainability, Universitätsallee 1, 21335, Lüneburg, Germany
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Tuyisingize D, Eckardt W, Caillaud D, Ngabikwiye M, Kaplin BA. Forest Landscape Restoration Contributes to the Conservation of Primates in the Gishwati-Mukura Landscape, Rwanda. INT J PRIMATOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s10764-022-00303-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Clay N, Yurco K. Political ecology of milk: Contested futures of a lively food. GEOGRAPHY COMPASS 2020; 14:12497. [PMID: 33209105 PMCID: PMC7116387 DOI: 10.1111/gec3.12497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This article advances thinking on the political ecology of food and agriculture by reviewing research on milk and dairy. As increasingly contested foods, milk and dairy provide a window onto inter-linked social and environmental crises and attempts to solve them through adjustments to food production and consumption. We critically assess three trajectories of change (more milk, better milk, and less milk) that are representative of broader efforts to fix social-environmental crises through food. Arguing that these efforts eschew systemic change, we discuss how ideas from food studies, agrarian political economy, and development studies can be united in a potentially transformative research agenda on the political ecology of milk (as well as other foods).We reflect on how concepts of justice, power, and care might inform a political ecology of food and agriculture that can help envision and enact more democratic food futures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Clay
- School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, UK
| | - Kayla Yurco
- Geographic Science Program, School of Integrated Sciences, James Madison University, VA
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