Managing the interface between humans and nature: a governance perspective

This thesis is concerned with governance arrangements that manage the interface between humans and nature. It explores why existing arrangements fail to provide stewardship of natural resources through three case studies: forests management in Australia, and water management in Australia and China. It focuses on three forms of governance: command and control, markets and collaboration. The thesis is interested in whether collaborative governance could be better utilised to enhance stewardship and explores the opportunities and constraints this form of governance faces in the context of the case studies. Based on qualitative and quantitative research in Australia and China, it builds a provisional model for water stewardship projects and proposes other measures that could address constraints faced by collaborative governance.