The Role of Scientific Information Sharing in Polycentric Governance: Ecosystem Recovery in the Puget Sound, USA

Abstract

"In complex, connected social-ecological systems, polycentric governance provides a means to coordinate actions across levels. For commons such as watersheds, the interconnectedness of human and natural system components often spur efforts to align local actions with system-wide goals. Polycentricity scholars have argued the degree to which coherence is achieved depends on information exchange among decision centers. In parallel, environmental management scholars have examined the exchange of scientific information between scientists and managers to improve performance. Cvitanovic et al (2015) identify barriers to such exchange and call for more research on the mechanisms through which scientific knowledge transfer happens. In this study I identify and compare the mechanisms through which scientific knowledge transfer happens in polycentric governance. Interviews from efforts in the Puget Sound, USA to incorporate scientific information into management reveal patterns in vertical and horizontal exchange of scientific information."