Indicators are Relational: Navigating Knowledge and Power in the Development and Implementation of Coastal-Marine...

Area of Science:

• Environmental management
• Resource governance
• Social-ecological systems

Background:

• Indicator selection is often viewed as a technical process, separate from social and political dynamics.
• Existing indicator initiatives, even participatory ones, frequently overlook power differentials and social context.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a relational perspective integrating power and knowledge in indicator development and implementation.
• To highlight four critical dimensions for improving indicator processes in environmental management.

Main Methods:

• Grounded experience from managers and practitioners in indicator processes.
• Scoping literature review on indicators for coastal and marine governance and conservation.

Main Results:

• Identified four key dimensions: centering identity/positionality, indicator 'fit'/politics of scale, engaging social-ecological complexity, and reflecting on social norms/relationships.
• These dimensions are rarely considered in current indicator initiatives.

Conclusions:

• A relational perspective is crucial for effective indicator development and implementation in environmental and resource management.
• This approach can catalyze more effective decision-making and governance by acknowledging social power and complexity.