TY - JOUR

T1 - A multi-layered values-based approach to advance social-ecological restoration

T2 - Insights from real-world laboratories in Germany

AU - Gray, Konrad

AU - Loos, Jacqueline

AU - Martín-López, Berta

AU - Riechers, Maraja

AU - Kirmer, Anita

AU - Cebrián-Piqueras, Miguel

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2025.

PY - 2025

Y1 - 2025

N2 - Calls for social-ecological restoration have emerged to help transcend traditional ecological boundaries by including plural values as well as transdisciplinary processes. Inspired by the IPBES values typology, we used questionnaires to assess four multi-layered perspectives characterizing local actors in two transdisciplinary grassland restoration projects in Germany: Broad values, specific values, knowledge, and visions for restoration outcomes. Varimax rotated principal component analysis yielded 16 factors across these dimensions. A subsequent hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three clusters based on these factors compatible with the Life Framework of Values: restoration for… (1) living with nature, (2) living in nature, and (3) living from nature. The three clusters demonstrate the diversity of values-based perspectives among participants of the real-world laboratories. These perspectives capture the multi-layered values underpinning engagement in restoration. Accounting for these perspectives without jeopardizing one perspective over the others provides a basis for more inclusive restoration efforts.

AB - Calls for social-ecological restoration have emerged to help transcend traditional ecological boundaries by including plural values as well as transdisciplinary processes. Inspired by the IPBES values typology, we used questionnaires to assess four multi-layered perspectives characterizing local actors in two transdisciplinary grassland restoration projects in Germany: Broad values, specific values, knowledge, and visions for restoration outcomes. Varimax rotated principal component analysis yielded 16 factors across these dimensions. A subsequent hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three clusters based on these factors compatible with the Life Framework of Values: restoration for… (1) living with nature, (2) living in nature, and (3) living from nature. The three clusters demonstrate the diversity of values-based perspectives among participants of the real-world laboratories. These perspectives capture the multi-layered values underpinning engagement in restoration. Accounting for these perspectives without jeopardizing one perspective over the others provides a basis for more inclusive restoration efforts.

KW - Grassland restoration

KW - Inclusive restoration

KW - Plural values of nature

KW - Social-ecological perspectives

KW - Stewardship

KW - Transdisciplinarity

KW - Ecosystems Research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105019096062&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-025-02259-w

DO - 10.1007/s13280-025-02259-w

M3 - Journal articles

C2 - 41076514

AN - SCOPUS:105019096062

JO - Ambio

JF - Ambio

SN - 0044-7447

ER -