With the support of the FINCAPES Project, the I-CAN Living Laboratory was established as a real-world platform for research, innovation, and field testing of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). Designed to bridge science and community action, it serves as a collaborative space where researchers, practitioners, and local communities work side by side to restore degraded ecosystems and strengthen social and ecological resilience.
The living laboratory works on two critical ecosystems: peatlands and mangroves. Demonstration plots are being developed in Jambi Province for peatland restoration and in Lampung and Jambi Provinces for mangrove conservation. These sites act as living classrooms, places where scientific inquiry meets practical application to generate knowledge, test approaches, and inspire scalable solutions for sustainable ecosystem management.
Science-Based, Community-Driven
The I-CAN living laboratory emphasizes a science-based and evidence-driven process. Each initiative begins with the collection of comprehensive baseline data, capturing both the biophysical and socio-economic characteristics of the area. This data is gathered through field measurements, surveys, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews with local communities, government institutions, and other key stakeholders.
Once collected, the data is analyzed by multidisciplinary teams from IPB University, in collaboration with Jambi University and the Sumatera Institute of Technology (ITERA). Drawing from diverse disciplines, including ecology, hydrology, forestry, social sciences, and economics, these experts translate raw data into actionable insights that inform the next phase of intervention design.
Designing Solutions that Work
Based on the findings, the teams co-develop technical designs for restoration and conservation, from hydrological rehabilitation and ecosystem replanting to sustainable livelihood models that ensure long-term community benefits. Every design is created and refined through iterative consultations involving local governments, community representatives, researchers, and civil society organizations. This ensures that each intervention is scientifically sound, locally relevant, and socially inclusive.
Through this collaborative process, the living laboratory model transforms restoration from a purely technical exercise into a participatory journey of learning and innovation. It builds ownership among communities, strengthens institutional cooperation, and demonstrates that sustainable restoration is possible when science and society move together.
