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Eliciting plural values behind restoration efforts in the Tudor Creek mangrove forest in Kenya: What is measured and what matters?

Sensener, Kim LU (2026) In Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science MESM02 20261
LUCSUS (Lund University Centre for Sustainability Studies)
Abstract
Mangroves are crucial tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems in decline. In Kenya, 20% have been lost with degradation reaching nearly 90% in Mombasa’s Tudor Creek mangrove forest, mainly due to logging for livelihoods. Despite ongoing restoration efforts, plural values of mangroves and their representation in monitoring are insufficiently understood. Drawing on the IPBES typology of nature’s diverse values and measurement theory, this qualitative case study uncovers to what extent plural values are captured in restoration and monitoring practices through semi-structured key informant interviews. The results reveal a dominance of instrumental values, indicating a local dependence on mangroves. Monitoring is shaped by external funding... (More)
Mangroves are crucial tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems in decline. In Kenya, 20% have been lost with degradation reaching nearly 90% in Mombasa’s Tudor Creek mangrove forest, mainly due to logging for livelihoods. Despite ongoing restoration efforts, plural values of mangroves and their representation in monitoring are insufficiently understood. Drawing on the IPBES typology of nature’s diverse values and measurement theory, this qualitative case study uncovers to what extent plural values are captured in restoration and monitoring practices through semi-structured key informant interviews. The results reveal a dominance of instrumental values, indicating a local dependence on mangroves. Monitoring is shaped by external funding requirements and focuses on quantifiable indicators, highlighting a gap between what is measured and what matters to the community. Therefore, a context-sensitive monitoring approach is imperative to improve restoration outcomes. This requires integrating locally meaningful values, applying feasible monitoring methods, providing external support, and maintaining reflexivity. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Sensener, Kim LU
supervisor
organization
course
MESM02 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Sustainability science, ecosystem restoration, mangroves, plural valuation, monitoring, measurement theory
publication/series
Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science
report number
2026:004
language
English
additional info
The travel expenses for the fieldwork were funded by the Crafoord Foundation.
id
9230418
date added to LUP
2026-06-04 11:54:19
date last changed
2026-06-04 11:54:19
@misc{9230418,
  abstract     = {{Mangroves are crucial tropical and subtropical coastal ecosystems in decline. In Kenya, 20% have been lost with degradation reaching nearly 90% in Mombasa’s Tudor Creek mangrove forest, mainly due to logging for livelihoods. Despite ongoing restoration efforts, plural values of mangroves and their representation in monitoring are insufficiently understood. Drawing on the IPBES typology of nature’s diverse values and measurement theory, this qualitative case study uncovers to what extent plural values are captured in restoration and monitoring practices through semi-structured key informant interviews. The results reveal a dominance of instrumental values, indicating a local dependence on mangroves. Monitoring is shaped by external funding requirements and focuses on quantifiable indicators, highlighting a gap between what is measured and what matters to the community. Therefore, a context-sensitive monitoring approach is imperative to improve restoration outcomes. This requires integrating locally meaningful values, applying feasible monitoring methods, providing external support, and maintaining reflexivity.}},
  author       = {{Sensener, Kim}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Master Thesis Series in Environmental Studies and Sustainability Science}},
  title        = {{Eliciting plural values behind restoration efforts in the Tudor Creek mangrove forest in Kenya: What is measured and what matters?}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}