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A Relational Approach to Landscape Stewardship: Towards a New Perspective for Multi-Actor Collaboration

Author

Listed:
  • Jessica Cockburn

    (Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa
    Environmental Learning Research Centre, Department of Education, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Eureta Rosenberg

    (Environmental Learning Research Centre, Department of Education, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Athina Copteros

    (Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Susanna Francina (Ancia) Cornelius

    (Living Lands, P.O. Box 2153, Clareinch 7740, South Africa)

  • Notiswa Libala

    (Institute for Water Research, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

  • Liz Metcalfe

    (Living Lands, P.O. Box 2153, Clareinch 7740, South Africa)

  • Benjamin van der Waal

    (Geography Department, Rhodes University, P.O. Box 94, Makhanda (Grahamstown) 6140, South Africa)

Abstract

Landscape stewardship is increasingly understood within the framing of complex social-ecological systems. To consider the implications of this, we focus on one of the key characteristics of complex social-ecological systems: they are relationally constituted, meaning that system characteristics emerge out of dynamic relations between system components. We focus on multi-actor collaboration as a key form of relationality in landscapes, seeking a more textured understanding of the social relations between landscape actors. We draw on a set of ‘gardening tools’ to analyse the boundary-crossing work of multi-actor collaboration. These tools comprise three key concepts: relational expertise, common knowledge, and relational agency. We apply the tools to two cases of landscape stewardship in South Africa: the Langkloof Region and the Tsitsa River catchment. These landscapes are characterised by economically, socio-culturally, and politically diverse groups of actors. Our analysis reveals that history and context strongly influence relational processes, that boundary-crossing work is indeed difficult, and that doing boundary-crossing work in smaller pockets within a landscape is helpful. The tools also helped to identify three key social-relational practices which lend a new perspective on boundary-crossing work: 1. belonging while differing, 2. growing together by interacting regularly and building common knowledge, and 3. learning and adapting together with humility and empathy.

Suggested Citation

  • Jessica Cockburn & Eureta Rosenberg & Athina Copteros & Susanna Francina (Ancia) Cornelius & Notiswa Libala & Liz Metcalfe & Benjamin van der Waal, 2020. "A Relational Approach to Landscape Stewardship: Towards a New Perspective for Multi-Actor Collaboration," Land, MDPI, vol. 9(7), pages 1-20, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:9:y:2020:i:7:p:224-:d:383128
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Adela Itzkin & Jai Kumar Clifford-Holmes & Mary Scholes & Kaera Coetzer, 2022. "Approaches to Enhance Integration and Monitoring for Social-Ecological Systems," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-24, October.
    2. Rika Preiser & Reinette Biggs & Maike Hamann & Nadia Sitas & Odirilwe Selomane & Joy Waddell & Hayley Clements & Tanja Hichert, 2021. "Co‐exploring relational heuristics for sustainability transitions towards more resilient and just Anthropocene futures," Systems Research and Behavioral Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(5), pages 625-634, October.
    3. Nicola Favretto & Sheona Shackleton & Susannah M. Sallu & Tali Hoffman, 2021. "Editorial for Special Issue: “Collaboration and Multi-Stakeholder Engagement in Landscape Governance and Management in Africa: Lessons from Practice”," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-5, March.
    4. Batara Surya & Syafri Syafri & Hadijah Hadijah & Baharuddin Baharuddin & Andi Tenri Fitriyah & Harry Hardian Sakti, 2020. "Management of Slum-Based Urban Farming and Economic Empowerment of the Community of Makassar City, South Sulawesi, Indonesia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-42, September.

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