'A Damaged Ecosystem Can't Be "fixed" In 3 Years'

The research demonstrates that effective landscape restoration depends on understanding connections between people and their environment, and recognizing that people value nature in diverse ways. This is what Ancois calls a 'relational approach' and 'plural valuation frameworks'.

'I explored the challenges and opportunities of implementing such an approach within the realities of strained budgets, and the often "messy," slow, difficult but rewarding process of landscape restoration within the complex contested context of South Africa.'

A need for guidelines and examples

The idea for this research project arose from a need for guidelines and examples on effectively implementing projects for sustainability and resilience in rural areas. 'The research project itself was initiated by Living Lands, a local not-for-profit company which supports partnerships between different people both within and beyond these landscapes to facilitate the rehabilitation of ecosystems and support sustainable livelihoods. The organization wanted to partner with a researcher to explore what is working and what is not working when it comes to long-term restoration projects which try to support social, economic, and ecological needs. The aim was to more effectively support local communities and share insights with other organizations facing similar challenges.'

Tackling environmental challenges through an anthropological perspective

Ancois began her research in 2020 in the Baviaanskloof and Langkloof landscapes in South Arica. 'These landscapes are part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich with biodiversity, history, farming communities - a special sense of place. However, there are environmental and socio-economic challenges related to droughts, damaged ecosystems, limited services, poverty…' To better understand these challenges, and to contribute to tackling these problems, Ancois employed an anthropological methodology combining interviews and workshops with Living Lands staff and local community members affected by restoration initiatives. 'This included observing and participating in the everyday activities of the organizations and communities involved - to understand how people relate to each other and contextualize their experiences.'

The potential and challenges of relational place-based approaches

According to Ancois's research, plural valuation frameworks and a relational approach do help with learning and making sense of landscape restoration. Furthermore, they build social resilience against uncertainty and failure and can extend the impact of an initiative as it addresses the needs and values of a greater diversity of people. However, Ancois also argues that these approaches can increase demands and responsibilities for staff. 'Overall, a relational place-based approach with a plural valuation framework is rewarding and meaningful in terms of impact, but cognitively, socially, and emotionally demanding for those involved.'

A need for a structural shift within landscape restoration

Ancois stresses for the importance of recognizing these challenges and trade-offs and advocates for broader structural changes within landscape restoration. For example, the dominant funding and project structures still favor instrumental values and a ''crisis'' narrative, which does not align with the slow, embedded, and reflexive process required. 'Shifts in norms, expectations, and roles, for landscape restoration practices, policies, and research are needed to realize the potential of place-based approaches, relational thinking, and plural valuations.'

Bridging Values

Ancois is already working on a new project 'Bridging Values' exploring how European biodiversity policies impact South African landscapes, particularly regarding different values of nature, and equity. This project addresses some questions which arose during Ancois' PhD research. You can see the Bridging Values project website for more details, especially to learn more about the other case studies exploring similar questions within Europe as well as Brazil and Laos.