A summary of factors that hold the potential to undermine long-term sustainability of restoration efforts. (These categories are not mutually exclusive, where the same paper may have contained data relevant to several of the undermining factors). See Supplementary Table S1 for further readings.
| Undermining factors | % of papers (n = 36) | Examples | Further readings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power dynamics | 64% | Science regarded as the only valid source of knowledge; local values delegitimized; technical and scientific focus presents limited opportunities for effective participation; power dynamics integral to local community dynamics. | e.g., Fleeger and Becker 2008, Weng 2015, Sandlos and Keeling 2016. |
| Ignoring and/or generating negative livelihood impacts | 44% | Restrictions on local people’s use of resources; emphasis on ecological goals to the detriment of livelihood goals. | e.g., Nagothu 2001, Balana et al. 2010, Cao et al. 2010. |
| Untested assumptions about local communities and ecological systems | 36% | Local communities regarded as the key degrading force; local communities idealized and social dynamics simplified. | e.g., Leino and Peltomaa 2012, Åberg and Tapsell 2013, Zhong et al. 2013. |