Feasibility of habitat restoration under multidisciplinary constraints
Renee L. Piccolo, Christopher J. Brown, Daniel A. Friess, Catherine E. Lovelock, Benjamin M. Brown, Christina A. Buelow, Megan I. Saunders
Abstract
Accurately accounting for the many variables which can influence restoration feasibility is critical to achieve desired outcomes, yet robust frameworks to assess feasibility are lacking. In conservation planning, feasibility can be defined as ‘the probability that a project will achieve its stated objectives’. Often, important biophysical, social, governance, logistical, or resource factors that co-vary across space and determine feasibility are not explicitly included in restoration planning, even though this could enhance outcomes. Here, we present a four-step approach to include feasibility into restoration planning, using mangrove restoration as a case study. Step 1 uses expert knowledge and published literature to identify relevant spatial gradients and explore feasibility factors spanning biophysical, governance, social, logistical, and resource realms which influence restoration outcomes. Step 2 describes the functional relationships between specific feasibility factors and spatial gradient(s) of interest. Step 3 assesses how management interventions could increase feasibility of specific factors. Step 4 analyses ‘joint feasibility’ of multiple feasibility factors and identifies whether further management interventions are required. The approach provides a systematic and repeatable evaluation of multiple feasibility factors and is applicable in spatial planning to enhance restoration outcomes.