Exploring the contribution of land manager expertise when considering tree cover expansion for Natural Flood Management

Knight, Jennifer Sumaya ORCID: 0000-0003-4757-4805 (2024). Exploring the contribution of land manager expertise when considering tree cover expansion for Natural Flood Management. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

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Abstract

Faced with climate and biodiversity crisis, increasing tree cover has become a hot topic and a matter of significant debate. The multiple benefits of increasing tree cover have become a familiar narrative, particularly as part of Natural Flood Management (NFM). However, this increased interest is not reflected in increased tree cover in our landscapes. NFM itself is critiqued for a lack of empirical evidence, and a lack of uptake (of both NFM and tree cover) is linked to 'social barriers'.

NFM can be framed as 'wicked', a challenge in which multiple social, physical and ecological systems are entangled; water flows across socially defined boundaries. Trees are equally complex, crossing generational timescales where socio-ecological interactions may impact outcomes as readily as tree-water interactions. Understanding these interactions and entangled systems involves both interdisciplinary and participatory approaches. This has direct implications for the understanding of landscapes and decision-making at the knowledge-policy interface.

In this thesis, I demonstrate the importance of Land Managers' lived experience and expertise when exploring tree cover expansion for NFM (Trees for NFM). I explore how this impacts their decision-making and how this knowledge sits alongside the knowledge(s) that currently inform environmental decision-making, specifically hydrological modelling. This interdisciplinary, participatory study aims to inform decision-making by developing a better understanding of knowledge production for scaffolding solutions to 'wicked' problems.

In a large case study river catchment, the Trothy in South East Wales, I draw on key concepts and methods of Geography to explore landscape as both place and space. I root this disciplinary rigour and interdisciplinary perspective within a framework of participation and the co-production of knowledge. Working with Land Managers (predominantly but not exclusively farmers) through long, emplaced interviews, participatory GIS and hydrological modelling, I show the political and practical importance of lived experience. A phenomenological approach builds on current literature of agri-environment decision-making, enmeshing understandings and shedding new light on 'barriers' to uptake. Through this work, I affirm the attribution of Land Managers as relevant experts, exploring and applying their expertise. Using a hydrological model (SHETRAN) as a heuristic, I show the usefulness of modelling whilst situating the output within and recognising its entanglement with the wider relevant knowledges.

Conducting participatory reflexive work throughout, including evaluation and analysis workshops, I recognised a need for a new perspective on knowledge production and decision-making in landscapes. I introduce a concept I call 'drysi gwir', the real puzzle (work or entangled confusion!). I show that the current science-policy interface lacks key pieces of the puzzle. By recognising the importance of heterogeneity and connectivity within landscapes, I can directly reflect on 'barriers' to implementation and the impact this has on knowledge production within the context of environmental challenges. Through the analysis and work with participants, clear recommendations for alternative approaches, including the importance of relationships and the role of facilitation, are developed.

Significant landscape change is occurring, whether chosen or not. Choosing and impacting the direction of change involves a series of wicked challenges. Trees for NFM is a lens through which the decisions about this landscape change can be explored. The view through this lens shows that the current limited knowledge production at the science-policy interface is not meeting the challenge. In this thesis, I directly link landscapes, knowledge production and decision-making. In doing this, I propose ways in which knowledge production and a knowledge-policy relationship can meet the challenge and call for action to make the changes that can enable us to scaffold the solutions to the multiple wicked challenges we face.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):