Community involvement in ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction: a scoping review to guide assessment metrics

In response to climate change and rising hazard risks, Ecosystem-based Disaster Risk Reduction (Eco-DRR), a type of Nature-based Solution (NbS), has been globally adopted for its benefits in enhancing ecosystem resilience and reducing disaster risks. Community involvement has proven to be a significant factor in the effectiveness of Eco-DRR projects. A scoping review has been conducted to identify main research gaps in our understanding of community-based approaches in Eco-DRR. Main definitions of community-based strategies in Eco-DRR projects are summarized and the Arksey and O'Malley framework was utilized to identify key themes and patterns that influence the success of community involvement in Eco-DRR projects. The findings culminate in the development of a quantitative metric designed to assess community participation in these initiatives. This review highlights that Eco-DRR projects often lack strong stakeholder collaboration and effective bottom-up approaches. Additionally, the integration of traditional and local knowledge, especially from women, is frequently overlooked, resulting in a loss of insights, gender inequality, and reduced community engagement. Recommendations and a new assessment framework are provided to address the identified research gaps and barriers to community engagement, with the aim of guiding both existing and new projects toward more successful outcomes.