MESSAI.iO

AI summary

75% confidence

This study investigates how governance mechanisms influence ecosystem services in arid protected areas through the intermediary roles of environmental efficiency and resilience. Using structural equation modeling, the research demonstrates that while governance structures improve service quality, their impact is significantly mediated by these ecological factors, with resilience playing a more pronounced role.

Generated by MESSAI extraction pipeline · review against source PDF

Extraction

Reported parameters

12 extracted values

View extracted values

No 3D model is mapped to this paper yet. Parameter ranges above still place reported values on the literature distribution.

Abstract

Abstract Nature-based solutions (NbS) are increasingly adopted as governance-focused strategies to enhance sustainability and the delivery of ecosystem services in protected areas. Despite their growing importance, a consistent gap remains between governance design and successful ecological implementation. This research investigates the relationship between governance mechanisms and the quality of ecosystem services, emphasizing the intermediary roles of environmental efficiency and resilience in arid protected areas. A quantitative research design was employed, and data were collected from key stakeholders involved in the management of protected areas. Structural equation modeling was used to look at both direct and indirect effects. The results show that governance mechanisms make ecosystem services much better. Additionally, environmental efficiency and resilience significantly mediate this relationship, with resilience exerting a more pronounced mediating effect. The integrated mediation model demonstrates substantially superior explanatory power compared to the direct-effect model. The results show that governance structures by themselves are not enough to achieve long-term ecological results. Effective implementation strategies that improve operational efficiency and adaptive capacity are also needed. This study adds to the body of research on sustainability governance by providing real-world proof that governance-driven Nature-based Solutions (NbS) can improve the performance of ecosystem services.

Key findings

  • Governance mechanisms have a direct positive effect on the quality of ecosystem services.
  • Environmental efficiency and resilience act as significant mediators between governance design and ecological outcomes.
  • Resilience exerts a stronger mediating effect compared to environmental efficiency in this context.

Keywords

SustainabilityCorporate governanceEnvironmental resource managementResilience (materials science)Ecosystem servicesPsychological resilience

Identifiers

DOI
10.21203/rs.3.rs-8734723/v1
Journal
Research Square
Year
2026