Policy synergies for ecosystem restoration: Balancing conservation, development, and sustainability

The degradation of ecosystems globally presents serious challenges to biodiversity and sustainability. Ecosystems are vital for services like carbon sequestration and water purification, making their restoration critical. However, this process is complex, needing alignment between conservation, development, and sustainability goals. The article discusses creating policy synergies to support these objectives and presents strategies for integrated ecosystem restoration that maximize benefits while reducing conflicts. This study utilizes a qualitative research design to examine policy synergies in ecosystem restoration through literature review and case studies. It focuses on analyzing scholarly articles, policy documents, and international agreements related to restoration and sustainability, identifying key policy frameworks. Three diverse case studies illustrate innovative policies and outcomes: The Great Green Wall initiative in Africa, The Loess Plateau restoration project in China, and the EU's rewilding efforts. An analytical framework evaluates the synergies and trade-offs of various policy approaches, considering stakeholder involvement, funding, and monitoring practices. The findings highlight key synergies and challenges in integrating policies for ecosystem restoration. Effective collaboration between local communities and international funding has led to improvements in soil quality and biodiversity through sustainable land management and reforestation efforts. China's emphasis on scientific research has yielded successful outcomes in soil erosion control and agricultural productivity. The project underscores the need to align development goals with environmental restoration while noting challenges like conflicting land use and lack of stakeholder coordination. Successful policy integration necessitates adaptive management, sufficient funding, and robust governance. The study emphasizes the importance of integrated policy approaches for effective ecosystem restoration, highlighting the need to align conservation, development, and sustainability goals to achieve ecological and socio-economic benefits. Case studies show that such synergies can enhance biodiversity, carbon sequestration, and local livelihoods. However, the complexity of ecosystems and diverse stakeholder interests require flexible, context-specific strategies. Key elements for success include collaborative governance, cross-sectoral partnerships, and stakeholder engagement, along with adaptive management and continuous learning from restoration initiatives. The research provides valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners focused on sustainable ecosystem restoration.

کلیدواژه ها:

Ecosystem Restoration ، Policy Synergies ، Conservation ، Sustainable Development