You are here:
Applying Translational Science Frameworks for Ecosystem Services and Ecosystem Restoration
Citation:
Harwell, M., E. Eisenhauer, AND K. Williams. Applying Translational Science Frameworks for Ecosystem Services and Ecosystem Restoration. NCER 2021: National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration, NA, Virtual, July 26 - August 05, 2021.
Impact/Purpose:
In this presentation, ORD scientists will outline the concepts of translational science, including the models being used by ORD research in the Sustainable and Healthy Communities (SHC) research program. The presentation will be targeted to a multi-disciplinary ecosystem restoration community of practice audience. For this target audience, the presentation will cover three example translational science models will be explored for their utility in facilitating a translational conversation about ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration. Two of these models have been advanced in SHC’s ecosystem services research: the application of Health Impact Assessments; and the development of a Neighborhood Community Model. The presentation will include discussion on their value in environmental decision-making contexts because of the emphasis on utilizing a systems approach and maximizing the benefits of engaging stakeholders. An important take-home message is that the use of translational science frameworks is transferable to across different ecosystem management and ecosystem restoration contexts.
Description:
Core principles of translational approaches in science, including “collaboration, engagement, communication, process, and decision framing” (Enquist et al. 2017) strongly align with principles of successful ecosystem restoration practitioners. Connecting the benefits of ecosystems to the people who receive those benefits, whether in the context of ecosystem services or ecosystem restoration, inherently involves a multi-discipline, multi-stakeholder perspective. Translational science frameworks can be valuable in environmental decision-making contexts because of their emphasis on utilizing a systems approach and maximizing the benefits of engaging stakeholders. Translational science frameworks can provide value to practitioners that incorporate tenets of structured decision making, risk characterization, adaptive management, and principles of conflict resolution to restoration activities. Further, translational science frameworks reinforce elements of strategic science communication including the importance of establishing and communicating restoration goals with consistent terminology and providing the ability to develop and incorporate stakeholder engagement in the process. Overall, a translational science framework can be utilized by restoration practitioners for different purposes, for translating research findings, organizing research collaborations, structuring science to action, etc. to ultimately understand how ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration efforts can contribute to health and well-being for different populations. This presentation introduces tenets of translational science and translational ecology, with a specific emphasis on ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration. To demonstrate the value of translational science frameworks for ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration contexts, three example translational science models will be explored for their utility in facilitating a translational conversation about ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration. In a remediation of contaminated sites to restore ecosystem services context, a Neighborhood Model was designed to be a translational ecosystem services framework – or an interpretive key – for decision makers and community stakeholders to understand how ecosystem services contributes to wellbeing for different populations. A Health Impact Assessment (HIA) tool allows community and environmental decision makers to identify and work towards outcomes that improve human health and well-being through a structured process, such as an environmental remediation and restoration project. Finally, we will explore the potential application of the 5-concentric ring, translational science model of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences (Observation; Application and Synthesis; Implementation and Adjustment; Practice; Impact) and adapting it to ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration activities.
