Building local capacity for coral reef restoration: insights from two Caribbean MPAs
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15517/chgx9f68Keywords:
participatory research methods; interviews; SWOT analysis; qualitative analysis; Seaflower Biosphere Reserve; Laughing Bird Caye National Park.Abstract
Introduction: Coral reef restoration requires building local capacity and engaging stakeholders throughout planning and implementation to reduce conflicts and enhance ecological and socio-economic outcomes.
Objectives: To compare stakeholder perspectives on community engagement in coral reef restoration within the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (Colombia) and Laughing Bird Caye National Park (Belize), and to develop tailored guidelines for effective engagement strategies.
Methods: We conducted a multiple-case study in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve (Colombia) and Laughing Bird Caye National Park (Belize), collecting eight months of field data through interviews, surveys, and SWOT analyses, coding qualitative data and analyzing surveys with unpaired two-sample t-tests.
Results: The primary strategy for enhancing engagement in coral reef restoration was building local capacity, complemented by strategic planning, budgeting, and educational initiatives for youth. Respondents from Seaflower Biosphere expressed greater concern for coral declines, a stronger sense of reef identity, and felt personally affected by the issues. In contrast, residents of Laughing Bird Caye focused more on economic opportunities, community meetings, and passive educational approaches.
Conclusions: These guidelines provide a flexible framework for community engagement in coral reef restoration, emphasizing the importance of understanding socio-cultural and economic contexts, identifying key stakeholders, and fostering trusting, inclusive, and transparent relationships to empower communities and prioritize their active participation in restoration efforts.
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