Global knowledge–action networks at the frontlines of sustainability: Insights from five decades of science for action in <scp>UNESCO</scp>'s World Network of biosphere reserves

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on Journal blog. Human actions in Anthropocene challenge functioning of ecosystems and social foundations we depend upon (Fanning et al., 2022; IPBES, 2019). We must strengthen our collective understanding how shared land- seascapes can simultaneously meet people's needs enhance biodiversity resilience, contributing effectively to 2030 Agenda (Sachs 2019) Convention Biological Diversity. International networks working worldwide sustainability are vital task, with multilateral intergovernmental organizations, like United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organization (UNESCO), expected play a key role (Morrison 2020; Nature, Luo 2022). The research community has long called international that provide platforms interdisciplinary, longitudinal comparative social–ecological systems (Bai 2019; Liu 2007; Norström Schneider 2021). Site-based knowledge exchange aid robust action-oriented science advance transformations. In paper, argue an example such knowledge–action network already exists: World Network biosphere reserves (WNBR) established under Man Biosphere (MAB) Programme UNESCO over past five decades. This global sites (Figure 1, Box 1) offered lessons about put people at centre conservation within across landscapes, helped define implement science, biocultural rights-centred approaches environmental action (Mace, 2014; Reed, 2016, Reed & Price, 1971. Its contours were first articulated 1968 ‘Biosphere Conference’ hosted by attended multiple UN bodies. purpose conference was promote establishment scientific programme would help explain effects human activities or biosphere. designers MAB determined it be different from previous programmes, which focused ecological change while excluding engagement (such as Programme). captured intention placing humanity forefront Programme's title. Since designated (BRs) 1976, world these grown 738 BRs 134 countries, including 22 transboundary 2022. extent is significant, making up almost 5% terrestrial area, covering all major biome types Earth, circa 270 million living them 1). intended model ‘learning places sustainable development’ (https://en.unesco.org/biosphere/about), where development pursued, learning human–environment relations through collaboration sharing central goal three formal functions laid out document, 1995 Statutory Framework WNBR, defines as: Biodiversity conservation, logistic support capacity building. addition function BRs, also territorial spatial zonation structure (three zones varying degrees use), requirement periodic review. These amendments made ensure activity fundamental aspect have necessary management structures processes achieve their goals. For more extensive historical political background Programme, readers referred Bridgewater 2015. To build experiences pioneering place-based sustainability, perspective review network's advancements harness its learnings, offering six categories insights WNBR. motivations. Firstly, wish share story WNBR wider community, increase visibility collectively reflect evolution insights. Secondly, distil learnings potential both co-production related collaborative sustainability. Thirdly, hope present here will inform broader research–action efforts nature interface, supporting generation actionable transformative thinking doing Over decades, UNESCO's generated future economic, environmental, ethical societal challenges development, explicitly problem-solving approach scales (UNESCO, 2016). landscape level informed defined advances focus knowledge, gained co-producing weaving scientific, traditional Indigenous knowledges transdisciplinary way (Miller 2014). following section, drawn decades themes. Each section begins short itself then turns each theme. facilitate problem-driven interrelationships between nature. implemented 14 project areas, physiographical units (e.g. mountain regions, tropical forests) specific impacts deemed significance, example, perceptions environment use pesticides (Moreira-Muñoz 2020). During initial stages, scientists staff worked develop representative levels influence: (BRs). serve research, monitoring, education training 1970, 1971). While most closely associated area designed themes so host problem-oriented, interdisciplinary (Reed A notable encourage ‘next’ researchers Global South. By 1990s, areas disbanded, leaving component 1995, vision became clearly newly adopted complementary ‘Seville Strategy’ 1996; see argued marked transition when practice management-focused, shift classical 2007). time, grew, additional because interest local create platform scale Massie, 2013). Although coordinated decreased, time new type problem-focused researcher emerged (Reed, natural sciences systems; engaged participatory BR practitioners, peoples; researched questions governance, civic participation resilience systems. Sustainability priorities WNBR—such addressing climate change, ecosystem services, urbanization bringing bear practice—continued reinforced subsequent plans (Madrid Action Plan 2008–2013 [UNESCO, 2007] Lima 2016–2025 2016]). However, despite growing citizens establishing increased practice, financial logistical promised never truly materialized. exposed opportunities developing cooperation network. Unequal governmental objectives national countries institutional biases academia against (Heberlein, 1988) hindered flourishing research. Developing theme-driven undertaking programmes often costly, time-consuming need leadership. Thus, maintaining removing barriers problem-oriented require strong coordination academic, institutions; appropriate recognition kind research; adequate resources funding. impact been limited, adapted successive ‘action plans’ set action. other large inter-governmental bodies, process priority setting continues cumbersome, lacks implementation not always considered responsive. has, nevertheless, facilitated encourages agile alignment agendas concerns. propose agile, responsive scales, ability mobilize addressed time. Notwithstanding mentioned above, ‘sustainability turn’ opened space scholarship mentored budding scholars who attracted BRs. demonstrated ‘basic’ ‘use-inspired’ (Clark, Kates 2001), spaces Indeed, towards deeper positioning society Wall 2017), contributions birth Supporting mobilization since inception. aim public engaging citizens, managers, Peoples (Bridgewater, 2015; 2016; Schultz 2011). They envisioned sites’ development: monitored, practices policies ‘tested’. proposed elements ‘geosphere-biosphere observatories’ Reserve Integrated Monitoring System’ (BRIM), began 1980s (Drius Dyer 1988; Stoll-Kleemann 2008). BRIM largely ineffective. Similarly, proposals become field Terrestrial Observing System 1994) line programme's objectives, still subject wide-ranging study, published 1990s. search Web Science reveals 5629 publication hits term Reserve*’, contrast 114 ‘Integrated Conservation Development Project*’ (All Fields; Search date December An online journal devoted specifically BRs—the Reserves—was 2017, comprehensive research-based book 2020 than 65 authors. bibliometric analysis (Kratzer, 2018) found coverage publications, highest numbers papers coming Mexico, USA, India, Spain, China Australia. majority studies used sites, rather object study themselves. Despite surrounding remain visible durable exist few France, Japan, Sweden), well thematic those islands coasts, mountains (Clüsener Godt 2022) reference Hydrological 2021), limited. lack hampers scaling opinion, may last Secretariat Coordinating Council (ICC) committees responsible generally given far greater emphasis strengthening goals Programme. many ways, ‘sites’ programme, comparable site designations Heritage Sites Geoparks), do monitoring (Carter At writing, there no database gathers unified data collected although current (Bouamrane 2022, pers.comm.). Nevertheless, 2016) includes establish international, agenda partnerships institutions. Recent accelerate progress during Research Conference produced Eberswalde Declaration (The https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/mab-icc-34-annex_natreprt_ger_eberswalde-declaration.pdf). declaration national, institutions, systems, in, emphasizing innovative young communities. Lack infrastructure long-term storage hampered extract large-scale contrasts fields infrastructure, curated databases, geophysical dynamics. Social–ecological should improve standardization done, navigating balance capturing complexity allowing (Reyers Knowledge–action site-based capitalize Open Big Data enable fine-scale picture state (International Council, big revolution could transformations, novel actors engage collectors co-producers, citizen projects Nilsson 2017). power approaches, diversity knowledges, interests responsibilities resulting inter- raises ethical, technical, storing, transferring information. sense-making information embedded complex disciplinary needs, understandings, contexts biases—making usage complex. issues privacy consent participants studies, intellectual property rights protocols (Carlson There easy answers ‘how’ collated managed, but co-create policy guidelines clear. navigate if integrate dimensions foster holistic system understanding, effective science–policy interfaces (Mastrángelo testing grounds co-production, exploring science–policy–practice spectrum Long before terminology ‘transdisciplinary’, considering involve people, rural communities achieving ample evidence success catalysing (and sometimes transdisciplinary) building around world, series 28 books 1989 2002, numerous publications (Hadley, 2006). Strategy 2015–2025 facilitation one four strategic declaring ‘BRs, particularly coordinators, managers scientists, roles operationalizing mainstreaming science’ Clearly, contemporary architects seek meaningful practitioners scientists. shown mutual close cross-sectoral relationships (Schultz Lundholm, 2010). beyond context drawing generic sites. developed strategies production 2013), history involving (IPLCs) mixed (Barraclough, Schultz, 2021; Batisse, 1986; Ferreira Koy addition, practical practitioners. exposed: timescales work; mismatch problems solutions experienced versus scientists; defining roles, (Malmborg institutions produce impactful collaborations, stories university Chairs authors (Box 2). trust challenging (Roux yet essential facilitating projects, mutually reinforcing connections partners stakeholders, holders, population large. that, full realized, supported work incentives evaluation communication learned. avoid ‘bad Anthropocene’ suggest include value peoples aspects interface (Dryzek Pickering, 2018; Tengö 2017; Wehi issue raised conceived remains challenge. Engaging epistemologies challenging, requiring transformation conceived, executed evaluated. changes organize (Kealiikanakaoleohaililani Giardina, Smith, 2014), including: decolonizing ecology concepts stewardship broadly; ensuring inclusive supports self-determination; dialogue stakeholders holders worldviews dissimilar access decision-making (Leff, 2004; McElwee Trisos might come into conflict desire based synthesis ‘big data’ express determine terms (Wiegleb Bruns, prescriptive governance applied individual flexibility and, potentially, learning-by-doing, view socio-economic circumstances (Pool-Stanvliet Coetzer, 2020a, 2020b). Consequently, exists variable operational successes Måren, Van Cuong Interviews indicate concept holds range meanings, real-world messiness pursuing 2018). ‘asset [of] Programme’ implementing realities cross-scale cross-sector difficulties face adapting frameworks diverse required multi-use region together (Price, 2002). multifaceted multiple, overlapping, pressures persist (Coetzer governments antagonistic (Mercer Hyman, 2009), buy-in (Yuan 2008) arrangements sufficient funding (Schliep Stoll-Kleemann, move grappling same conflicts globally, overexploitation forests, land changes, wildfires, urban sprawl, corruption illicit economies (Gonzalez-Duarte, Moreira-Muñoz aims members older fulfil (conservation, logistics; Bouamrane translating visions standardized assess achievements monitor Egunyu, being made, regions experimenting selection criteria improving performance UNESCO, encouraging intentional systematic designation contextual interpretation ambitions implementation. absence ‘blueprint’ provides localizing (Plummer State-sponsored (‘top-down’) models offer considerable security initiatives providing financial, legal resources, stronger required. arise autonomy tensions experimentation requirements governing legislation limitations problematic distrust linked social–political memory dispossession, neo-colonial fears top-down restrictions use. Community-led (‘bottom-up’) advantageous trusting relationships. authority consequently, More needed theories find basic standards practice. cross-cultural learning, experimentation, innovation agility, hence fostering adaptive (Edge McAllister, 2009). importance continued adapt form Balancing compliance regional demands transforming world. Responsive relevance longevity, ‘support maintenance evaluate practices, reflect, learned limited important literature. (Herrero, Ishwaran 2008; 2010; co-management 2011) case Kristianstads Vattenrike Sweden part Millennium Ecosystem Assessment highlighted stewards services 2007) identified bridging organizations initiating, coordinating (Hahn 2006; Olsson Two surveys coordinators enabled unique quantifications