Repository logo
 

Aspirations of Ecological Restoration Success

Files

Thesis(24.64 MB)

Date

2023

Authors

Supervisor

Jarvis, Rebecca
Towns, David
Bollard-Breen, Barbara
MacDonald, Edy

Item type

Thesis

Degree name

Doctor of Philosophy

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Auckland University of Technology

Abstract

Ecological restoration is central to biodiversity conservation in Aotearoa New Zealand, with community participation in restoration growing rapidly in recent decades. Restoration groups now operate nationwide, undertaking predator control, species protection, and reintroductions. These activities present ecological and social challenges, and raise ongoing questions about how restoration “success” is defined and evaluated. This thesis examines restoration practices and perceptions across community groups, government agencies, and iwi kaitiaki, contributing to a more inclusive understanding of restoration that incorporates scientific, social, and cultural dimensions. First, 50 community-based projects in northern New Zealand were surveyed to assess the alignment between aspirations and conservation outcomes. While ecological monitoring was common, goals were often generalised, milestones absent, and outcomes anecdotal, highlighting the need for stronger technical support and training. Second, surveys of practitioners at community and agency levels revealed differing emphases: agencies prioritised systems-level indicators, while communities focused on species-based measures. Perceptions of success also shifted as projects matured, underscoring the importance of frameworks that integrate both ecological and social dimensions. Third, the role of citizen science in ecological restoration was investigated through practitioner and agency perspectives. Although its uptake is patchy, reflecting barriers of technology, resourcing, and sustained participation, it remains a valuable means of strengthening scientific literacy and building the evidence base for restoration decisions. Finally, iwi kaitiaki perspectives were gathered to examine and understand how restoration success is framed through a mātauranga Māori lens, in comparison to other practitioner perspectives. Concepts of success centred on kaitiakitanga, mauri, tikanga, and environmental ethics, revealing strong parallels with ecological restoration and demonstrating the essential role of indigenous knowledge in shaping restoration priorities and outcomes. Collectively, the findings highlight the diverse ways in which restoration success is understood, the tensions and synergies between community and agency practices, and the transformative potential of mātauranga Māori in guiding restoration futures. By advancing a holistic, socially grounded framework for ecological restoration, this thesis contributes to both theoretical debates and applied strategies for sustaining biodiversity in Aotearoa New Zealand and beyond.

Description

Keywords

Source

DOI

Publisher's version

Rights statement

Permanent link

http://hdl.handle.net/10292/19768

Collections

Doctoral Theses