Harmonization Approach to Spatial and Social Techniques to Define Landscape Restoration Areas in a Colombian Andes Complex Landscape

1. Introduction

Restoring degraded ecosystems is a complex task that demands significant investments of time, resources, and knowledge [1]. To achieve multiple long-term benefits, it is crucial to understand territories and identify specific areas suitable for landscape restoration based on ecological criteria and socioeconomic benefits [2]. Then, we need to find an area where we can develop a zoning of areas for landscape restoration based on the concept of sustainable development, involving economic, social, and environmental aspects from a transdisciplinary perspective.

Various techniques have been implemented to estimate landscape restoration areas, such as ecosystem services modeling with thresholds and probability of implementation success, environmental quality indices, landscape metrics, blue and green infrastructure based on ecosystem services, biodiversity improvement, and soil restoration [3,4,5]. The Multicriterial Spatial Analysis (MCSA) within the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) has been widely used in applications related to environmental assessments and its adoption is due to the increasing availability and accessibility to spatial data and the feasibility of using geographic information technologies [6,7].

Different zoning schemes showing areas of greater importance for the implementation of restoration activities have been carried out worldwide based on different objectives such as biodiversity [8,9], protected areas [10], social aspects [11], tree cover [12], land cover change [13], as well as integrating the above with cost-benefit analysis [14], and future scenarios up to 2050 [15]. Regardless of the underlying objective, all results aim to generate benefits in mitigating climate change, improving biodiversity, and human well-being.

Global spatial prioritization provides initial guidelines, but for execution and greater effectiveness, an assessment must be made at the landscape or lower cartographic scale, involving historical, ecological, and socioeconomic factors [16]. A multifunctional landscape approach that improves the coexistence of different land uses with the interests of the stakeholders involved, together with a relevant review of land cover maps and statistical analysis, is essential [17]. Finding a transdisciplinary approach that addresses the complexity of ecosystems and socio-ecological systems, considering ecological vitality, economic potential, and social acceptance, could accelerate restoration efforts, obtaining collateral benefits for all stakeholders involved [18,19]. Communication must be clear and transparent among parties, based on fair governance and incentivized by a long-term mechanism [16], with persistent processes over time [20].

Now, by understanding the perception of the importance of landscape restoration processes and the possible location of these activities on their properties, communities can provide guidelines for approaching future landscape restoration processes. Techniques like Expert Knowledge Elicitation (EKE) could be implemented to estimate probabilities that reflect the state of the information that an individual or several individuals may have about the query. In this sense, [21] compile applications of expert knowledge and elicitation for landscape ecology topics. In restoration issues, [22] generate a list of criteria and indicators for prioritizing restoration areas based on elicitation techniques with multiple actors. Additionally, [23] present a study that seeks to obtain information from elicitation in conjunction with cartography, and other spatial methods have been applied in ecosystem service assessment.

In addition to the use of EKE, the integration of ecological and social aspects, such as social cartography, is necessary for the development of conservation studies. Methodologies that address these points and harmonize their results are key to defining areas for landscape restoration. As defined by [24], it constitutes the starting point for generating useful tools in the formulation of new strategies and strengthening existing ones for restoration processes. Restoration actors must work together, defining both biophysical and socioeconomic goals, and considering potential trade-offs, as stated by [25,26].

Different methodologies that combine multi-criteria analysis with social and statistical techniques in the field of restoration have been developed at various scales. One of the methodologies that combines participatory mapping techniques with multi-criteria spatial analysis for prioritizing areas for landscape restoration at regional, local, and even plot levels is the Restoration Opportunities Assessment Methodology (ROAM) [27]. Moreover, multiple zoning processes have been developed globally at the national and sub-national levels [28].

This paper proposes the use of MCSA analysis with the harmonization of social-based techniques (EKE and social mapping) to estimate landscape restoration areas in the study area, including areas for protecting and restoring ecosystems, as well as promoting sustainable land use. Note that, in this paper, the word “harmonize” is defined as an action or process to integrate variables, data sets, and perspectives from social, environmental, economic, and governance disciplines, obtained through various techniques.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Area

This research is conducted in the rural area of Belmira Municipality, Antioquia, Colombia. Belmira is located in the northwestern region of Antioquia, Colombia. It has an average temperature of 14 degrees Celsius and an elevation ranging from 2,400 to 3,000 meters above sea level (MASL). The estimated population in 2018 is nearly 6,000 people. It is situated in the Central Mountain Range at coordinates 6°36’18"N 75°39’57"W. The municipality comprises a total of 15 rural settlements, covering approximately 29,000 hectares [29].

The research area is defined based on the following criteria: (1) areas outside the boundaries of the Integrated Management District of the Paramo and High Andean Forest System in the Northwestern Middle of Antioquia (DMI SPBANMA), (2) areas within the municipal boundaries of Belmira [29], and (3) areas within the High Andean Cauca Orobiome [30]. These criteria allowed for the identification of an optimal research area considering logistical feasibility (size and concentration of the area for fieldwork), homogeneity in terms of ecosystem characteristics (unique biome), and the study objective (outside the protected area, in a neighboring area, and part of the buffer zone).

The total study area covers 3,708.87 hectares and extends from the northeastern part of Belmira’s urban area to the Rio Arriba rural settlement, covering 552.67 hectares. Towards the southwest, it includes El Yuyal rural settlement with 386.75 hectares, La Salazar with 143.34 hectares to the south, Santo Domingo with 1,082.24 hectares, San Jose with 305.35 hectares, La Miel with 262.89 hectares, Playas with 914.91 hectares, and the municipal center with 60.72 hectares. The study area is represented by a mostly continuous polygon (see Figure 1).

Belmira is considered an important territory for the provision of ecosystem services in the north-central region of the country, particularly in terms of water supply and regulation, due to the presence of strategic ecosystems such as the Santa Inés páramo [31]. This páramo supplies the Río Grande II reservoir, which serves as a water and energy source for 32% of the population in the Metropolitan Area of Valle de Aburrá [32]. The region faces various socio-ecological challenges that need to be addressed from multiple perspectives to ensure the sustainable development of the territory. These challenges involve different interest groups within and around these ecosystems [33].

Belmira’s special characteristics include a significant portion of its area being within the National System of Protected Areas - SINAP, as well as the surrounding buffer areas where productive communities are located. The Río Grande basin, which is of high interest to downstream communities, exhibits a landscape with a historical imprint of human activities, including agriculture such as dairy and dual-purpose cattle farming, as well as the cultivation of crops such as criolla potatoes, cape gooseberry, tomatoes, among others (see Figure 2).

2.2. Identification of Landscape Restoration Areas and Activities

The identification of landscape restoration areas and activities is carried out through spatial analysis, where an initial feasibility map is generated, representing the viability for implementing landscape restoration processes within a 9 square meter (3 meter pixel) area. This map is obtained by spatially combining nine variables using a Multicriteria Spatial Analysis (MCSA) approach (see Table S1 in the supplementary material). These variables encompass ecological and socioeconomic criteria, selected based on secondary information collection, field observations, and specific stressor barriers defined in [34]. To define the weight of the variables in the MCSA model, an Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) [35] is applied. AHP is a mathematical theory of value, ratio, and judgment, involving proportion scales for decision-making analysis of problems with multiple criteria. It is based on comparing the relative importance of each pair of variables, where decision-makers (experts) express their preferences between two elements on a proportional scale [36] (see Table S2 in the supplementary material).

The AHP process begins with a relative importance assessment of the variables through a survey administered to experts in natural sciences and fields related to the study area. To compare different pairs of variables, the following question is asked: Which variable do you consider most important for defining suitable areas for landscape restoration? Each response is assigned a value according to the scale proposed by [37], and the values were incorporated into a pairwise comparison matrix to assess the importance between variables. Through a series of statistical and mathematical analyses, the principal eigenvector is established, which determines the weights ($W_j$) and provides a quantitative measure of the consistency of value judgments among pairs of factors [38]. Based on the relative weights of the variables, the Multicriteria Spatial Analysis (MCSA) is conducted. The process is performed using the “Raster Calculator” tool in ArcGIS Pro 2.8 software [39]. Each raster has values ranging from 0 to 100, and a raster overlay of the different spatial variables is applied, as shown in Equation (1).

$$Feasibilitymap={\sum }_{i=1}^9{R}_i\times w_i,$$

(1)

where $R_i$ represents the raster of each normalized variable, and $w_i$ represents the weight of each variable according to AHP. The resulting map is a raster image with a pixel resolution of 3 meters, indicating values from 0 to 90 (the maximum value achieved in the overlay of all variables). These values are related to the feasibility of an area for landscape restoration processes. To assign qualitative classifications, the natural breaks algorithm by Jenks [39,40] is applied, resulting in 5 classes: very high, high, medium, low, and very low feasibility. This produces the feasibility map for landscape restoration in the study area.

According to the concept of landscape restoration [41], there are three main related activities: ecological restoration, conservation, and sustainable use. A raster map of landscape restoration activities is obtained based on a multitemporal analysis of land cover from 2010 to 2020, with a pixel size of 3 meters (see Table S3 in the supplementary material). Spatial techniques are then applied to derive the map of areas for landscape restoration.

The statistical validation of the variables used is performed through Principal Component Analysis (PCA), followed by the application of AHP. The results of the expert assessment of variable comparisons are transferred to an aggregated comparison matrix, from which the normalized comparison matrix is derived (see Table S4 in the supplementary material). With the mathematical formulation of these data, the priority vector is obtained, indicating the specific weight of each variable. The statistical validation is performed using the logical consistency test data (maximum Lambda value, consistency index, and consistency ratio). The consistency ratio value is 0.07, which is less than 10% as the maximum value for a larger 5x5 matrix, indicating consistency in the developed process.

2.3. Localization of Areas and Landscape Restoration Activities

The combination of the feasibility map with the map of activities for landscape restoration allows for the assessment of the importance of these activities through elicitation techniques. EKE, is a process of formulating an expert’s knowledge about a particular assertion or topic as a probability distribution in the absence of scientific data [42]. In this study, EKE is used to evaluate the importance of landscape restoration activities for some experts. This process is conducted as rigorously and scientifically as possible, minimizing expert cognitive biases, using structured protocols. Designing and validating questions, providing context with appropriate vocabulary, and adapting elicitation according to expert conditions [43,44].

Then, the distribution of importance for the five main restoration activities is elicited, which include “Live Fences” and “Crop Rotation” within the concept of sustainable use, “Watershed and Soil Restoration” as ecological restoration activities, and “Nature Tourism” and “Birdwatching” as conservation activities along with sustainable uses. These activities are defined based on the municipality’s characteristics, objectives set by the municipal government according to its Management Plan [45], the feasibility map, the framework of activities related to the sustainable development approach, and forest landscape restoration processes outlined by entities such as UICN [27,46].

The elicitation process is carried out per property under study, as the level of importance can vary from one property to another due to their specific conditions. Therefore, elicitation is performed by using an expert for each property, and the selection criterion is based on choosing the person with the most knowledge of their area as the expert. In total, 13 experts were elicited for the 14 properties defined in the study area.

The list of properties evaluated in the study area through elicitation and social mapping is shown in Table 1:

In global terms, the statistical validation of the sampling is performed based on the area criterion (in hectares). A sample size is assumed using a proportion for a finite population, with an estimation error of 0.05, a confidence level of 95%, and a success probability of 0.5. Considering that the total area of the research is 3708.87 hectares, a total of 348.19 hectares needs to be sampled. In this research, as shown in Table 1, a total of 419.37 hectares are sampled for the elicitation and social mapping processes.

A graphical elicitation method is used through a tool that allows experts to manually set the level of importance they consider should be assigned to the five different proposed landscape restoration activities. These activities and their implications from social, economic, and environmental perspectives are explained to the experts in advance, along with the necessary basic statistical concepts for elicitation. Through a series of questions in a structured interview, where strategies are implemented to avoid bias and anchoring of the experts, the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles of the distribution of the importance level for each proposed activity are obtained. These elicited distributions can exhibit asymmetric behaviors, and therefore can be approximated using models such as those proposed by [47] or [48]. In this study, we use beta models due to their lower parameter complexity and simpler approximation process. Hence, the percentiles obtained are approximated using the algorithm proposed by [49], to their corresponding values in a beta probability model (since the responses fall within the 0-1 interval).

To elicit, for example, the 50th percentile corresponding to the probability distribution of the importance level of the "Living Fences" activity, after providing the expert with pedagogical information about the concept of Living Fences, their environmental, social, and economic benefits, and basic statistical concepts, the expert is asked the following question: On average, from 0 to 100, what level of importance would you assign to this activity based on your knowledge of your property? Their response is recorded in an educational tool that allows the expert to adjust their belief or response throughout the elicitation process to avoid biases or anchoring in their responses.

On the other hand, based on a hypothetical scenario where there are economic resources to implement these same landscape restoration activities, a social mapping process is conducted with the property owners. Initially, the images of each property drawn by the owners in the field are digitized using ArcGIS software [39]. Subsequently, they are converted into raster format, maintaining the same pixel size as the feasibility maps. The respective statistics are calculated, and together with the results of the elicitation technique, the corresponding interpretation of the importance of the activities is performed. Note that similar social mapping processes have been implemented by [50], [51], among others, but they do not combine information contained in elicitation processes.

2.4. Harmonization of Techniques for Defining Areas for Landscape Restoration

In this paper, we illustrate the harmonization process using a single property area, property area number 2, where all the collected information is simultaneously analyzed. We compare the main results spatially, visually, and in terms of data between the following: the feasibility map and landscape restoration activities obtained through MCSA and multitemporal analysis, and the landscape restoration activity map obtained through social mapping and elicitation in some properties.

The results were harmonized, thus generating areas with higher feasibility in both techniques and creating a possible strategy for approaching landscape restoration processes in the defined properties. The following priorities are assumed: (1) areas for conservation activities that overlap, based on the results of social mapping and multitemporal analysis, regardless of their feasibility level; (2) areas for conservation activities that do not overlap, based on the results of social mapping and multitemporal analysis, regardless of their feasibility level; (3) areas for ecological restoration activities found in the results of social mapping with high and very high feasibility; (4) areas for ecological restoration activities found in the results of social mapping with medium, low, and very low feasibility; (5) areas for ecological restoration activities found in the results of multitemporal analysis, regardless of their feasibility level; (6) areas for sustainable use activities found in the results of social mapping and multitemporal analysis with high and very high feasibility.

3. Results

The variables selected for constructing the feasibility map are land cover, erosion and mass movements, flooding, water importance, ecological connectivity (resistance + nodes), properties with conservation processes, properties with live fences, building density, and distance to forest loss. These variables are validated using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) to discard redundant or duplicated variables for the study. The first two principal components only account for a total of 40.07% of the total variability and the first four principal components only account for 68.97% of the total variability in the data. Therefore, each variable can explain landscape phenomena on its own, and it is recommended to retain these nine variables for constructing the feasibility map.

Now, using the AHP process proposed by Saaty (1987) to define the weights of the variables in the MCSA model, and the value assessment scale proposed by [37], we present the summary of the specific weights obtained in descending order based on information from the five consulted experts (see Table 2).

The variable with the highest weight is V02-Erosion and landslides with 22%, followed by 04-Water importance with 20%, V01-Land cover with 17%, V05-Ecological connectivity with 16%, V03-Flooding with 8%, V09-Distance to forest loss, and the remaining variables V07-Properties with living fences, V09-Density of constructions, and V06-Properties with conservation processes with 4%, 3%, and 2%, respectively. When combining the variables according to criteria, it is shown that the ecological criterion, composed of 4 variables, accounts for 63%, the socio-economic-ecological criterion, composed of 2 variables, accounts for 28%, and the socio-economic criterion, composed of 3 variables, accounts for 9% (the complete Prioritization Matrix is available in [34] or see Table S4 in the supplementary material).

Based on the weights assigned to each variable, the MCSA is applied to define the feasibility of landscape restoration. The result for each class, along with a description based on the contrast of areas with each individual variable, and their respective areas, are shown in Figure 3.

However, by comparing land cover changes (based on the land cover analysis from 2010 to 2020) with the landscape restoration activities and the feasibility map, a comprehensive map is generated that integrates both the landscape restoration activities and their corresponding land cover changes (see Tables S5–S7 in the supplementary material). This map facilitates decision-making regarding the prioritization of the restoration activities previously defined (see Figure 4).

Results show that approximately 4% of the area falls within the medium to high feasibility range for ecological restoration. Regarding sustainable use, 55.7% of the area exhibits medium to high feasibility, while conservation activities account for a total of 15.8% and are associated with areas of high forest interest.

It is noteworthy that 76.1% of the total study area (2,822 ha) is conducive to the development of sustainable use initiatives, primarily due to the stable grassland coverage over the past 10 years (71.67%). Within this category, 1,159.7 ha, equivalent to 31.3% of the total area, are defined as having high to very high feasibility for landscape restoration processes.

Based on the information presented in Figure 3, it is found that 15.80% of the study area is related to conservation processes (corresponding to 394.7 ha). Moreover, 10.7% of the area has high to very high feasibility for landscape restoration. The rural settlement with the highest amount of conservation areas is Santo Domingo (144.25 ha), followed by Playas (134.87 ha) and Río Arriba (94.26 ha). However, the San Jose and La Miel rural settlements, which have joint conservation cores, account for a combined area of 145.79 ha.

Similarly, it is found that 179.5 ha are part of the restoration category, equivalent to 4.84%. Among areas with high and very high feasibility, the largest amount of land is found in the vereda of Playas (45.38 ha), followed by Santo Domingo (45.23 ha) and La Miel (34.04 ha).

Following the construction of the feasibility map, the research focused on determining the most probable restoration activities to be applied in the study area based on expert criteria and the use of elicitation. Through the EKE, the importance level (in percentage) of each defined landscape restoration activity is estimated using probability models, considering the municipality’s characteristics, objectives outlined in its Management Plan [45], and the feasibility map presented in Figure 3. The activities under study are as follows: A1: living fences, A2: crop rotation, A3: watershed and soil restoration, A4: nature tourism, and A5: birdwatching. Note that A1 and A2 are part of the concept of sustainable use, A3 corresponds to ecological restoration, and A4 and A5 encompass both conservation and sustainable use.

The average age of the experts is 56.23 years, with a median of 61 years, a standard deviation (SD) of 12.14, and an interquartile range (IQR) of 12. The average expertise time (or knowledge of the area where the importance of activities is being elicited) is 21.08 years, with a median of 20 years, an IQR of 23, and an SD of 15.11. Furthermore, out of the 13 experts, eight (8) have previously participated in conservation processes, highlighting the relevance of the selected individuals as experts in this research.

Table 3 and Figure 5 illustrate that activity A3: watershed and soil restoration exhibit the highest level of importance for independent implementation on the studied property. According to the experts, one of the benefits that could arise from the implementation of such activities in the future is the improvement in water resource regulation and provision.

In addition to the elicitation process, social mapping is carried out, which focuses on collecting information on viable areas for landscape restoration processes, with social, spatial, and dynamic interactions in the territory.

Now, through social mapping, and discriminating according to the activities presented in Table 4 (which shows the equivalence between the activities evaluated in both the elicitation and social mapping processes), the area of each evaluated activity is calculated. It is found that among the landscape restoration activities, the largest area (ha) to be implemented in the study area is related to sustainable use activities, with 330.02 ha, accounting for 79.19%; followed by conservation activities, with 68.30 ha and 16.39%, and finally restoration activities, with 10.04 ha and 2.41%.

At the level of more detailed activities, there is a particular interest from landowners in sustainable livestock processes. It is important to define the scope of this implementation, the method of execution, feasibility, training, and costs. Other initiatives of interest include Trout Farming, Sustainable Livestock, Forest Plantations, and Glamping tourism initiatives.

After constructing feasibility maps, applying elicitation techniques to define activity importance, and conducting social mapping, the harmonization of these techniques is carried out to define areas for landscape restoration. This process involves integrating ecological and social aspects for each of the 14 properties considered in this study, which is essential for conservation projects [24]. In this study, in addition to providing consolidated estimates for the entire study area, the techniques are applied to each of the properties studied (see [34]).

To illustrate the harmonization process, let us consider property 2, where the elicitation process shows that the activities with the highest importance for implementation are A2: Crop rotation and A3: Watershed and soil restoration. Here, based on the conservation, ecological restoration, and sustainable use activities, the results from the Multi-Criteria Spatial Analysis (MCSA) and the multitemporal analysis show a distribution of 26.97%, 10.75%, and 61.50%, respectively. With social mapping, the respective percentages are 32.83%, 6.02%, and 59.92%. The activity that exhibits the largest difference (>4%) is ecological restoration, with 0.88 ha. The information is presented in the comparison matrix of the areas obtained by both techniques in Table 5.

In the harmonization process, we see that priority areas correspond to conservation activities defined through social mapping and multicriteria analysis. For example, in collaboration with the landowner and based on the information from social mapping, elicitation, fieldwork, and multicriteria spatial analysis (MCSA), it is determined that activities such as A5: Nature tourism are important, combined with a future lodging research (glamping) in the western area of their property. Towards the center of the property, there are areas of instability and erosion processes, which present potential for water-related activities (water sources). Similarly, in the central part of the property, where water sources and drainage are present, ecological restoration processes with high and very high feasibility are jointly defined, covering an area of 0.49 ha.

Regarding sustainable use processes, the expert is interested in implementing these practices throughout their entire property. For the activity A1: Living fences, the expert proposes the establishment of some of these fences, strategically aligned to create possible ecological connectivity with restoration areas on their property. The areas designated for this activity, with high and very high feasibility, are prioritized as priority 3, totaling 9.20 ha.

A general conservation strategy that is being considered in collaboration with the expert is primarily focused on sustainable livestock farming as a foundation. It involves implementing living fences initially, allowing the livestock to access water areas (wetlands) and enabling pasture rotation. It is also considered that ecological restoration areas will contribute to improving water source zones, where these processes could be implemented. Finally, the development of nature tourism and birdwatching strategies in the westernmost part of the property is contemplated, as it is believed to have potential for generating additional resources.

The prioritization map of landscape restoration activities and a visual explanation of the implementation strategy are presented in Figure 6 and Figure 7, respectively.

4. Discussion

Based on the MCSA, we observed that areas with high and very high feasibility for landscape restoration activities cover approximately 44.20% of the total research area, mainly in the Chicó river micro-basin and in the La Miel and Playas rural settlements. These areas coincide with primary forest zones and important ecological connectivity nodes. Furthermore, a relationship between land cover changes and land use in areas adjacent to the forests is observed. This is in line with the findings by [52,53] regarding regeneration zones around forested areas in the Rio Grande watershed.

All areas are considered to have high to very high feasibility for forest conservation, but a small portion of the allocated hectares for this activity shows low feasibility, mainly in the San José and Santo Domingo rural settlements. It is noteworthy that the constructed model demonstrates a relationship between areas with higher feasibility for landscape restoration and areas that enhance ecological connectivity for bird species.

The sustainable use activity encompasses the largest area, accounting for 76.1% of the total, and is concentrated in the Chicó river watershed and the La Miel, Playas, and Rio Arriba rural settlements. The implementation of silvopastoral and agroforestry practices is suggested to contribute to ecological balance and promote biodiversity, especially avifauna.

Based on the elicitation process, regardless of the different scenarios modeled according to the characteristics of the properties, it is found that the most important activity for all scenarios is A3: Restoration of basins and soils (see Table S8 in the supplementary material). For landowners, one of the benefits that the implementation of this type of activity could bring in the future is the improvement in the regulation and provision of water resources. This connotation allows the valuation of this activity to always be of high importance, as water resources are fundamental for the communities of Belmira and the entire Río Grande watershed in their daily and commercial activities [33,54].

When comparing the results of the elicitation with those of social cartography, and under the hypothetical scenario of having resources to develop these landscape restoration activities on their own properties, the areas allocated for this same activity were very low (12.89 out of 419.37 ha), which have a lower opportunity cost as they have a low potential for production processes.

Activities such as A4: Nature tourism and A5: Birdwatching present significant importance for the experts. [54,55] define that in the municipality of Belmira, people prioritize an interest in cultural ecosystem services related to ecotourism in general (including the Belmira paramo). Therefore, focusing efforts on these types of landscape restoration activities could allow, on one hand, the conservation of natural areas and/or the development of sustainability-focused processes, as well as generating greater income capacity for communities [27,41].

By harmonizing the results of the MCSA modeling (feasibility) with the multitemporal analysis (MA) (activity) and combining this with social cartography analysis (activity) and elicitation (importance), a prioritization of areas with landscape restoration activities is defined, in this case, for 3 properties, across 6 categories: 2 related to conservation processes, 3 to ecological restoration, and 1 to sustainable use. An integration of techniques allowed prioritizing areas for landscape restoration at a local level, considering ecological connectivity with protected areas, as well as social perceptions, to maximize multiple benefits of restoration, considering the places people need to live, produce food, and extract natural resources [56,57].

Regarding the areas defined for conservation in the harmonization, there is a variation of approximately 5% between the areas defined by both techniques, which is a result of the difference in cartographic scale (1:10,000 and 1:5,000). Regardless of the degree of feasibility, areas with this activity were prioritized. Protecting unaffected ecosystem areas is an essential part of landscape restoration processes [27].

Focusing on areas of ecological restoration, those defined by social cartography are proposed as a priority, ordered according to their feasibility value. In this paper, since the zoning is on private properties, it is important not to overlook the guidelines and needs of the property owner in the conservation processes they would be willing to undertake [58], and to try to maximize the benefits within the areas they are willing to allocate for these activities.

Regarding the harmonized areas for sustainable use, those with higher feasibility were defined using both techniques. However, it does not imply that this activity cannot be developed in other areas. It is important to have a holistic view of the socio-ecological context, where the provision of ecosystem services is evaluated and balanced, as not all areas can have land use related to economic activities, nor can all areas be transformed into conservation processes.

The results showed that finding appropriate connectivity between the objectives of the protected area and adjacent landowners is important for the continuity of conservation processes. [59] define that buffer zones should be delineated and managed with an eclectic approach, meaning that a wide range of strategies and instruments should be chosen, ranging from pure conservation to sustainable use, always considering the harmonization between human habitation and resource use with the conservation and restoration of natural values, connecting them in a coherent ecological structure with the protected area.

Variables such as slope, soils, and wetlands would be of high importance for a better definition of the areas. Using these criteria with the communities could also help landowners identify specific areas that may be suitable for landscape restoration processes with specific data. For example, an important factor that could change the context of harmonization is the delineation of wetland areas. The collected information does not include spatial information in the territory. Therefore, the delineation of these ecosystems can be crucial for a proper definition of activities, with a socioecological focus.

5. Conclusions

Areas with high and very high feasibility for ecological restoration are mainly found around primary forest areas, primarily towards the La Miel, San José, and Santo Domingo rural settlements, totaling 179.5 hectares, equivalent to 4.84% of the research area. In this area, further investigation is needed to determine the underlying causes of the impacts on these zones, particularly related to forest loss, and whether it is associated with anthropogenic expansion.

A detailed assessment of areas experiencing forest gain and changes in land cover is necessary to understand the phenomenon associated with these changes, as well as the different successions and timeframes involved in natural regeneration processes.

In the modeling, although there are areas with low and very low feasibility for conservation processes, this assessment does not imply that these areas are unimportant. On the contrary, they are areas where the level of impact is not as high as those with higher feasibility. Efforts should still be made to protect natural ecosystems, regardless of their evaluation in the model.

Areas with high and very high feasibility for sustainable use processes could also be considered for the development of ecological restoration processes. However, this ultimately depends on the perceptions, motivations, and benefits of the landowners.

The probability modeling resulting from the elicitation process revealed that the most important landscape restoration activity for landowners is watershed and soil restoration. Their interest lies in improving and providing the ecosystem service of water. However, social mapping showed a low allocation of areas for this process. This creates a dilemma between the importance and feasibility of this activity, which has two possible points of origin within the communities: cost-opportunity in terms of production-conservation and the belief in possible displacements and expropriations of ecologically important areas with conservation processes.

The combination of elicitation and social mapping processes allowed us, on one hand, to understand the perceptions of the communities, and on the other hand, to identify specific areas where, if there were financial resources available, they would be willing to carry out landscape restoration processes.

The harmonization of MCSA processes, multitemporal analysis, elicitation data, and social mapping with landowners enabled the identification and location of areas with a higher potential for landscape restoration in Belmira at a property scale. The prioritization of a property’s area is based on the activities and criteria according to the implemented technique, as well as analyzed within the context of multiple environmental determinants (Territorial Ordering Scheme and Watershed Management and Planning Plan). This allows for a crucial articulation in future processes of structuring and allocation of investments for field implementation.

The prioritization is conducted based on the combination of landscape restoration activities, results according to the technique, and feasibility. Six categories were generated: 3 for conservation, 2 for restoration, and 1 for sustainable use. The characteristics of the prioritization are focused on, on one hand, maintaining natural ecosystems, restoring the areas provided by the landowners, and generating high-feasibility sustainable use processes.

The inclusion of processes from social and natural sciences allows for an interdisciplinary approach in landscape restoration studies. Methodologies such as ROAM and the one developed in this process enable the development of the inherent multidimensionality in forest landscape restoration.