Effects of spatial heterogeneity and temporal shifts in ecological baselines on community perceptions of grassland degradation and restoration

Community engagement is fundamental to the success of ecosystem restoration, yet local communities’ willingness to participate depends heavily on their perceived degradation severity and restoration urgency. Using a photo-based survey approach, we investigated how pastoralists on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau perceive grassland degradation and restoration across ecological systems with differing intrinsic characteristics. We found that local perceptions were significantly shaped by ecological baselines: in landscapes with greater topographical heterogeneity, where varied levels of grassland degradation coexist, pastoralists exhibited heightened concern and greater perceived urgency for restoration. In contrast, ecosystems characterized by high instability in productivity fostered greater tolerance for degradation and unrealistically optimistic expectations for restoration outcomes. While we observed generational variation in perceptions consistent with Shifting Baseline Syndrome, spatial variation in perceptions, driven by differing ecological system characteristics, proved to be even more pronounced. Our findings suggest that both firsthand experience with the landscape and ecological context critically influence local perceptions and adaptation strategies. To enhance community participation and restoration success, we recommend that policymakers and practitioners recognize these perceptual dynamics, promote social learning, and implement adaptive management approaches tailored to local ecological conditions.