New trajectories in the production of environmental knowledge about river restoration: contrasting scientific practices in Rhône River research

Introduction Restoration ecology relies on interactions between scientists and managers, yet these interactions are shaped by broader academic, social, and political contexts that influence how scientific knowledge is produced and mobilized. Objective This article aims to examine how scientific knowledge is produced within a long‐term river restoration monitoring program, and how potential shifts in scientific practices generated by a changing research context reshape relationships between researchers and practitioners. Methods We examine these dynamics through the long‐term monitoring program of the Rhône River restoration, RhônEco, initiated in 1998 and renewed in 2024 with an expansion of the scope and substantial turnover of its members. Drawing on 22 semi‐structured interviews with former and new members, we examine how the program's reconfiguration reflects broader transformation in scientific practices within restoration ecology. Results We show a marked shift from predominantly idiographic practices that aim to develop a holistic understanding of the Rhône River to directly inform local restoration projects toward nomothetic practices that treat ecosystems as cases for producing generalizable knowledge for the scientific community. Conclusion This evolution from idiographic practices to nomothetic ones aligns with contemporary academic expectations emphasizing publication and competitiveness, and redefines relationships with river practitioners.