Knowledge co-production has received extensive attention in the climate change adaptation, ecology, and conservation literature. The concept is also gaining steam among practitioners and government agencies seeking to more effectively and equitably bridge management and science worlds. Co-production is a framework for scientists and managers/communities to collaboratively develop new knowledge through participatory and inclusive methods. Co-production is particularly appealing in the context of the multifunctional working rangelands in the Western US managed for a suite of goals related to rural livelihoods, climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem structure/function. Given the promises of co-production, it is more important than ever to rigorously examine the concept for effective science-management integration and social and ecological outcomes. This presentation offers such an examination via the Collaborative Adaptive Rangeland Management (CARM) project. CARM is a ten-year, ranch-scale, trans-disciplinary, participatory grazing experiment ongoing since 2012 at the USDA-ARS Central Plains Experimental Range (a Long-Term Agroecosystem Research site) in Nunn, CO. A team of interdisciplinary researchers and rancher, agency and conservation organization stakeholders collaboratively manage spatiotemporal distribution of yearling cattle on ten (130 ha) pastures for ranch profitability, biodiversity, and social learning goals. Qualitative data documenting the co-production process include field notes and transcripts of quarterly stakeholder decision-making meetings, and researcher reflections on the co-production process.
Results/Conclusions
Key insights from five years of the CARM experience enhance our understanding of co-production in practice, highlighting the “art of co-produced research.” These include 1) the paramount importance of trust building to bridge multiple knowledge systems and social worlds; 2) the value of a locally-relevant “status quo” comparative treatment; 3) the value of long-term research time frames; 4) the need to address the question of “who benefits?” from collaborative research; and 5) how effective facilitation, field tours, collaborative analysis, and spatial data enhance stakeholder understanding and use of co-produced data on rangelands. The lessons from CARM suggest that the barriers to effective science-based management and collaborative research extend beyond data-deficit problems, and include a lack of attention to responsive facilitation, challenges to building mutual respect, and unequal costs/benefits among researchers and participants. Despite these limitations, CARM illustrates the benefits of trans-disciplinary co-produced rangeland ecology research to enhance stakeholder participation and engagement with the research process and with research institutions.