Translatability of water governance experiments across settings and scales

Adaptive governance requires institutional capacity to coordinate responses environmental problems at appropriate scales and utilizes networks for information sharing. This implies a capability translate successful experiments from one social-ecological setting another. Yet, translating lessons learned case studies in adaptive water other settings is all but straightforward. Watershed condition cumulative result of upstream ecological factors as well land use decision-making processes, which may involve diverse stakeholders multiple, nested levels government. The relationships between site-specific management decisions water-related ecosystem services not only vary by location, are further complicated biogeochemical flows, interactions, trade-offs. We view this challenge biophysical science perspective, highlighting the need focus on translatability approaches such that processes can better fit dynamic, multidimensional, spatially continuous nature riverine networks. To learn previous attempt experiment across settings, we investigated study riverside area Washington State, northwestern USA. As participants an agency-led workshop, observed particular challenges coordinating recommendations variable landscape. clarify potential steps policy experiments, intersected understanding with scholarship. Using example experiment, reviewed ecological, management, literatures identify four elements translatability: (1) cross-sectoral, multiscale shared goals or future desired state system; (2) quantified functional measurable site-scale features functions related goals; (3) definition frameworks relate concepts potentially networked governance; (4) mapping strategies visualize emerging spatial context. definitions pertaining areas arranged them along concept-application spectrum provide framework knowledge governance. mapped footprints policies within similar landscape characteristics show patterns could inform translation empirical then discussed role conclude considering water-governance identifying opportunities leverage existing improve cross-scale ecosystems heterogeneous landscapes.