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Mangroves are a unique ecosystem that provides various benefits to people. In Thailand, Mangrove Action Project (MAP) has introduced Community‐Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR), a novel technique to restore degraded mangroves. Unlike conventional tree planting, CBEMR does not require a planting phase. It emphasizes preproject assessments of mangrove ecology and hydrology to facilitate natural regeneration. Therefore, this study aims to (1) investigate the perception of stakeholders on the value of mangroves; (2) examine the understanding of stakeholders on conventional mangrove planting and CBEMR as mangrove restoration techniques; (3) understand the challenges and motivations of the CBEMR efforts in the Andaman Coast of Southern Thailand. We use Q Methodology, a semi‐quantitative method that requires participants to rank a set of statements to analyze their perceptions according to the research questions. As a result, we can identify three clusters of perceptions; D1 demands more CBEMR and less conventional planting. D2 believes mangrove planting is good, given suitable conditions. D3 thinks restoring mangroves brings benefits, but most conventional planting often fails. This study highlighted that all CBEMR stakeholders believe inadequate technical knowledge is the root cause of mismatch restoration practices. Mangrove planting should be done with suitable species, conditions, and areas. Conventional planting of mangroves without considering ecological factors and local engagement should be avoided as it fails to achieve sustainable outcomes. Enhancing knowledge of mangrove ecology and restoration techniques is therefore a sustainable route to the long‐term success of mangrove restoration in Thailand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective decision-making is key to the successful conservation and management of natural resources. Mangrove ecosystems all over the world provide an array of ecosystem goods and services and are managed by a wide range of stakeholders representing various sectors. The position of mangroves in the land-sea interface and the rapid development of coastal areas in the Global South make mangrove conservation and management more challenging than the management of other coastal ecosystems. Sri Lankan mangroves are degrading due to numerous natural and anthropogenic causes in recent years. Mangrove degradation in Sri Lanka is further exacerbated by the economic crisis following the COVID-19 pandemic. The coastal communities near mangroves in Sri Lanka heavily depend on mangrove goods and services (more than before, due to a lack of livelihood alternatives), despite formal "no entry" rules by the government. This study's objectives are to delineate the viewpoints of mangrove management experts to understand current mangrove management in Sri Lanka and to provide baseline data for effective decision-making. We used Q methodology, during which 71 mangrove experts representing 21 stakeholder groups were asked to individually rank statements regarding mangrove management. These rankings were subsequently clustered using Principal Component Analysis, allowing the identification of clusters of opinions regarding mangrove management. Stakeholder's perceptions were clustered into three discourses: community-oriented management, government-oriented management, and management in synergy between government and communities for effective mangrove conservation. Our findings emphasize the multifaceted nature of mangrove management in Sri Lanka, revealing diverse perspectives among stakeholders. Our results further highlight the need for a collaborative approach to the co-management of mangroves in Sri Lanka. We recommend that mangroves be co-managed by the government and local communities ensuring environmental sustainability in Sri Lanka and beyond. [Display omitted] • Mangrove management is considered complicated around the world. • Stakeholder views are an important but ignored aspect of mangrove management. • Q methodology was used to delineate mangrove stakeholder views in Sri Lanka. • Government, community, and a middle ground between the two were the discourses. • We recommend to co-manage mangroves by increasing community participation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable management of natural resources requires the consideration of multiple stakeholders' perspectives and knowledge claims, in order to inform complex and possibly contentious decision-making dilemmas. Hence, a better understanding of why people in particular contexts do manage natural resources in a particular way is needed. Focusing on mangroves, highly productive tropical intertidal forests, this study's first aim is to map the diversity of subjective viewpoints among a range of stakeholders on the management of Matang Mangrove Forest in peninsular Malaysia. Secondly, this study aims to feed the reflection on the possible consequences of the diversity of perspectives for the future management of mangroves in Malaysia and beyond. The use of the semi-quantitative Q methodology allowed us to identify three main discourses on mangrove management: i. the optimization discourse, stressing the need to improve the current overall satisfactory management regime; ii. the ’change for the better’ discourse, which focuses on increasingly participatory management and on ecotourism; and iii. the conservative ‘business as usual’ discourse. The existence of common points of connection between the discourses and their respective supporters provides opportunities for modifications of mangrove management regimes. Acknowledging this diversity of viewpoints, reflecting how different stakeholders see and talk about mangrove management, highlights the need to develop pro-active and resilient natural resource management approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Southeast Asia, mangrove forest cover and biodiversity has shown a rapid decline in recent decades, despite extensive conservation efforts. Identifying and analysing discourses on biodiversity conservation improves our knowledge and understanding of stakeholder perspectives (including normative values and socially constructed viewpoints) on biodiversity conservation within a specific social-ecological context. Considering these perspectives in a decision-making context contributes to the long-term sustainability of resulting conservation approaches, thus contributing to continued biodiversity conservation efforts in the far future. We consider the urban City State of Singapore to identify and interpret stakeholder discourses -including values and socially constructed viewpoints-on (effective) mangrove biodiversity conservation and management in an urban context. Using the Q methodology, we: (i) delineate and describe mangrove conservation and management discourses in Singapore and (ii) extract consensual perspectives common to discourses as a basis for management recommendations. Areas of agreement and disagreement on motivation, prioritization and responsibilities related to mangrove conservation and management are described based on numerical (i.e. sorting of statements along an ordinal scale) and qualitative data (i.e. structured interviews). There was a large overlap between discourses, suggesting that disagreement between various stakeholders may not be a prominent inhibitor of future decision making regarding mangrove conservation and management. It seems stakeholders realise the urban context strongly limits the range of realistic conservation and management approaches of mangrove forests, resulting in the larger overlap between discourses. Generally, all participants agree no further loss of existing Singapore mangroves should be allowed. The most important recommendations to reach this ultimate objective include indefinite legal protection and increase of mangrove areas under national park and nature reserve status, as well as continued promotion of mangrove's cultural ecosystem services. The identified discourses can inform decision-making by deducing shared stakeholder objectives based on the consensus values and perspectives. These shared objectives can readily be incorporated in decision-making processes on mangrove conservation and management in an urban context. • Consensus views can be incorporated in decision analysis on urban mangrove management. • Environmental discourses are limited by the local development strategy. • Environmental stakeholders are conscious of the limitations within the local context. • Transparency may increase support for management and thus increase its social sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A common strategy to counteract global biodiversity loss is sustainable management of protected areas. However, as protection of nature sometimes conflicts with human livelihoods and involves stakeholders with different interests, conservation conflict is globally on the rise. These conflicts can hamper sustainable development, social equity and effective biodiversity conservation. Understanding perceptions of different stakeholders and mapping discourses is key in this respect. In this study, we investigated conservation conflict in the Pendjari National Park in Benin, West Africa. The conservation conflict was fueled in part by a shift from state-led collaborative management to a public-private partnership. Pendjari is the largest remaining savannah ecosystem in West Africa and home to several threatened megafauna species. Using Q methodology, we identified two distinct discourses among stakeholders. The first discourse, supported mainly by formally educated people with non-agricultural jobs, focuses on the limitation of anthropogenic activities in favor of biodiversity conservation. The second discourse is mostly supported by people with a lower education level and a direct dependency on the land. They agree there is a need for conservation but even more so for viable alternatives to ensure people's livelihoods. The identification of these discourses and their underlying drivers can be included into future decision-making processes and management of the Pendjari National Park. • We explore conservation conflict in a protected area after a management shift. • Q methodology maps stakeholder perceptions and groups them together into discourses. • Two found discourses disagree on the restriction of access to natural resources. • Education level is an important explanatory factor for the divide. • Q methodology can be used for conflict mitigation or analysis in conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their ecological and economic importance, mangroves have suffered degradation in West-Africa, mostly from anthropogenic activities. To sustainably and successfully manage natural resources in complex social-ecological systems (SES), it is important to take into consideration the divergent viewpoints, values, and knowledge of stakeholders, this allows to make informed decisions by identifying shared views and contentious grounds. We applied Q methodology to identify the subjective perceptions of local stakeholders on mangrove management in the Sokone and Toubacouta regions of the Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal. Three distinct discourses (distinct viewpoints) were identified following the application of Q methodology: (i) the 'Official' discourse: "Mangrove management is fragmented; communities need to fill in the gaps for the management to work uniformly in all parts"; (ii) the 'Happy Villagers' discourse: "Village-level co-management works but some imbalances need to be corrected"; and (iii) the 'Unhappy Villagers' discourse: "Mangrove management is not working; things need to change, but it is not up to us (the villagers) to act". There is polarization among the discourses on the effectiveness of current management. There is consensus among the discourses in wanting improvements in the current management but there is no agreement on what needs to change. The study highlights the importance of establishing clear guidelines concerning the role of government and other actors in participatory decentralized resource management. The identified areas of consensus can help create opportunities for sustainable management interventions and dissensus viewpoints highlight critical topics that require further discussion to improve the present management regime. • We applied Q to map stakeholder perceptions on mangrove management in Sine-Saloum, Senegal. • Three discourses emerged, highlighting differing perceptions on management. • The discourses all express the need for improving current management. • Better-defined responsibilities & benefit-sharing can improve management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite their ecological and economic importance, mangroves have suffered degradation in West-Africa, mostly from anthropogenic activities. To sustainably and successfully manage natural resources in complex social-ecological systems (SES), it is important to take into consideration the divergent viewpoints, values, and knowledge of stakeholders, this allows to make informed decisions by identifying shared views and contentious grounds. We applied Q methodology to identify the subjective perceptions of local stakeholders on mangrove management in the Sokone and Toubacouta regions of the Sine-Saloum Delta in Senegal. Three distinct discourses (distinct viewpoints) were identified following the application of Q methodology: (i) the 'Official' discourse: "Mangrove management is fragmented; communities need to fill in the gaps for the management to work uniformly in all parts"; (ii) the 'Happy Villagers' discourse: "Village-level co-management works but some imbalances need to be corrected"; and (iii) the 'Unhappy Villagers' discourse: "Mangrove management is not working; things need to change, but it is not up to us (the villagers) to act". There is polarization among the discourses on the effectiveness of current management. There is consensus among the discourses in wanting improvements in the current management but there is no agreement on what needs to change. The study highlights the importance of establishing clear guidelines concerning the role of government and other actors in participatory decentralized resource management. The identified areas of consensus can help create opportunities for sustainable management interventions and dissensus viewpoints highlight critical topics that require further discussion to improve the present management regime. • We applied Q to map stakeholder perceptions on mangrove management in Sine-Saloum, Senegal. • Three discourses emerged, highlighting differing perceptions on management. • The discourses all express the need for improving current management. • Better-defined responsibilities & benefit-sharing can improve management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]