Mapping research gaps for sustainable forest management based on the nominal group technique

Jean Hugé (), Behara Satyanarayana, Nibedita Mukherjee, Viviana Otero, Katherine Vande Velde and Farid Dahdouh-Guebas
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Jean Hugé: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Behara Satyanarayana: Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)
Nibedita Mukherjee: Brunel University London
Viviana Otero: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Katherine Vande Velde: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)
Farid Dahdouh-Guebas: Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB)

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 9, No 46, 10121 pages

Abstract: Abstract Managing a complex social-ecological system requires data about the many social and ecological variables characterizing it and about their interactions. While the selection of research topics has its own, mostly unpredictable dynamics and contingencies, there has been a recent surge of interest regarding the involvement of non-academic stakeholders in suggesting research topics and identifying perceived knowledge gaps regarding the management of complex social-ecological systems. Decision-makers will invariably be confronted with limitations regarding resources to be allocated to the study of various systems components, and regarding the processing capacity of scientists and other stakeholders alike. Matang forest is one of the longest-managed mangroves in the world and provides a widely cited example of silvicultural management for charcoal and pole production, while providing a range of other ecosystem services. We applied the nominal group technique (NGT) to identify research priorities for Matang, as it provides a systematic and participatory approach to identify collective priorities while also reducing bias. The method consists of two rounds, during which participants were asked to reflect first individually, and then collectively, about key characteristics of mangrove management and about research priorities in Matang. The results were compared to the recommendations of the scientific literature. NGT provides a rapid, robust and systematic approach to identify research priorities for mangrove management and can hence be a timely method to support decision-makers across South-East Asia in guiding resource allocation toward research needs in times of increasing mangrove degradation. This is the first time that the application of NGT has been documented in a mangrove context. Moreover, NGT is not yet being used frequently in natural resources management, hence in documenting our NGT application, we aim to contribute to the development of a the NGT body of knowledge beyond mere mangrove forest settings. Rapid methods (such as NGT) to identify pressing research priorities are needed to guide resource allocation and investment of time and scientific capacity based on a systematic and pluralistic assessment.

Keywords: Mangrove management; Stakeholders; Nominal group technique; NGT; Research needs; Research priorities; Malaysia; Matang (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02478-1

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