Characterizing governance models for upscaling wetland restoration

• Published in: Environmental management (New York) Vol. 75; no. 5; pp. 1155 - 1167
• Main Authors: Terrisse, Arnaud, Karner, Michael, Kaufmann, Julia, Ernoul, Lisa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.05.2025; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Conservation of Natural Resources - legislation & jurisprudence; Conservation of Natural Resources - methods; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecosystem; Ecosystem restoration; Environment; Environmental Management; Environmental restoration; Environmental Restoration and Remediation - methods; Europe; Forestry Management; governance; Land ownership; Models, Theoretical; Nature Conservation; Sustainability management; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control; wetland restoration; Wetlands; Europe; Ecological restoration; Governance models; Upscaling; Wetlands
• ISSN: 0364-152X; 1432-1009; 1432-1009
• DOI: 10.1007/s00267-025-02132-2

Governance is a key element for effective conservation, sustainable management and restoration of ecosystems. Improving governance is essential for upscaling restoration actions around the world. Governance systems were studied in eleven on-going European wetland restoration sites using a two-step process. First, an in-depth examination of seven sites from six countries was made using key informant interviews. This information provided the basis for developing four governance models (Monocentric, Polycentric, Community-based and Networking). Most of the sites presented a dominant governance model, but also incorporated some dimensions of the other models to a lesser degree. The models were tested and evaluated in an additional seven sites in five countries. The analysis revealed that the governance models were highly subject to the geographical features, land ownership structures and different histories of the sites. Strengths, weaknesses, and supporting and limiting factors were associated with each model. This research shows how governance models are adapted to site specific conditions and how these adaptations can be used to enhance governance processes in existing sites, upscale restoration efforts or set the groundwork in new restoration sites.