ZMT - Leibniz Zentrum für Marine Tropenforschung

Empowering Local Communities in Coastal Ecosystem Management:

In an era were the protection and sustainable management of our environment have become paramount, the integration of local and indigenous knowledge with scientific research holds the key to unlocking innovative solutions. Our project aims to bridge this gap by harnessing the deep-rooted understanding that local communities possess about their surroundings, developed over generations, and merging it with the latest scientific insights on nature-based solutions (NbS).

Our Vision:

Our ultimate goal is to equip decision-makers with tools for participatory modelling, enabling the effective implementation of NbS and a pathway to incorporate the invaluable knowledge of coastal communities into their planning and development processes.

This initiative is founded on three key objectives:

1. Understanding the Local Dynamics: Coastal communities are treasure troves of unique insights and perspectives. Our first step involves mapping out the diverse stakeholders within these communities, identifying their roles, claims, and interests in relation to local ecosystems and NbS.

2. Developing Socio-Ecological Models: Through the creation of concept maps, we aim to integrate various stakeholder perspectives, illustrating the societal needs addressed by NbS, and outlining the causal pathways that link these solutions to livelihood impacts, biodiversity conservation, and climate change mitigation.

3. Building Capacity for Sustainable Impact: Beyond the immediate project goals, we are committed to developing the skills and capacities needed for the project to serve as a catalyst for broader adoption of the framework.

Who Benefits?

The primary beneficiaries of this project are the coastal communities themselves, alongside managers and policymakers. Through the provision of a participatory framework that integrates local knowledge into decision-making, we aim to offer a more inclusive and effective approach to environmental management. Our project employs a transdisciplinary methodology, benefiting all participating institutes and extending its impact through capacity-building initiatives.