Participatory Natural Resource Management Research Articles

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and GIS for Participatory Natural Resource Management: State‐of‐the‐Practice

AbstractExperience has shown that development efforts that ignore indigenous knowledge (IK), local systems of knowledge, and the local environment generally fail to achieve their desired objectives. IK systems are becoming extinct because of rapidly changing natural and social environments. A Geographic Information System provides a framework to document and store indigenous knowledge meaningfully. Participation by the local community in development initiatives is critical for achieving sound natural resource management to utilize the full potential of IK systems. The main premise of this paper is to review the literature available on the approach of integrating indigenous knowledge with Geographic Information Systems as a way of promoting participatory natural resource management and giving opportunity to the local community to participate in development programs and decision‐making both as contributors and as users of knowledge.

Enhancing public participation in natural resource management using Soft OR––an application of strategic option development and analysis in tactical forest planning

This article presents a case study where a modified version of strategic option development and analysis (SODA) is applied to enhance the level of citizens’ participation in a strategic forest management planning process managed by the Danish Forest and Nature Agency. The case is interesting because of structural differences between traditional Soft OR and public participation settings. Research shows that SODA can nevertheless improve public involvement in several ways, including stakeholders’ perception of being involved, stakeholders’ commitment, structuring of the planning context, communication of stakeholder perspectives, identification and management of conflicts, decision process transparency, and agency accountability for final planning outcomes. The primary problems encountered relate to the difficulty of reading the cognitive maps, time requirements, and selection of facilitator. The general impression is that SODA can improve the present practice, and moreover provide a feasible platform for wider integration of stakeholder groups in the tactical planning process.

GIS as a Tool in Participatory Natural Resource Management

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) are often seen as incompatible with participatory processes. However, since the late 1990s, attempts have been made in numerous projects around the world to define “best practices” for improved natural resource management projects that integrate participation and accurate spatial information, using GIS (for example, see www.iapad.org/participatory_gis.htm). This article describes a project in the Peruvian Andes where spatial information played a key role. Can GIS help narrow the gap between professionals and farmers or local officials? Or is it really a top-down tool that requires too much expert knowledge; and are investments too great for remote rural areas? Examples of successful use of GIS are provided in this article, while practical complications and methodological constraints are highlighted.

A modelling shell for participatory assessment and management of natural resources

Recent structural and jurisdictional developments in natural resources management have resulted in requirements for more open and inclusive management processes. These processes generally use participatory approaches to involve a wide stakeholder audience in management investigations and policy development. Along with these changes have come requirements for more open approaches to the combined spatial and temporal modelling often used in management, leading to the development of tools that are designed to meet the needs of managers and other stakeholders. This paper presents a modelling shell that has been developed to support the participatory assessment and management of natural resources. The modelling shell concept is based upon experience gained during development of a number of natural resources modelling applications over the past 10 years. The shell supports the basic functions of data manipulation, simulation management and output presentation, and is underlain by a simple, accessible and easily understood system of data storage and manipulation. By providing these common functions, the modelling shell allows the people involved in system model construction to concentrate on the important issues of algorithm selection and development, rather than the often messy and time consuming issues of input–output.

Participation in Natural Resource Management: A Case of Rural Energy Systems

Participation in Natural Resource Management: A Case of Rural Energy Systems

Rio Minus Ten: The Political Economy of Environmental Degradation

Editors: BROCH-DUE, VIGDIS and RICHARD A. SCHROEDER; Producing Nature and Poverty in Africa; Editors: LOWI, MIRIAM and BRIAN R. SHAW; Environment and Security: Discourses and Practices; Author: ITE, UWEM E.; Global Thinking and Local Action: Agriculture, Tropical Forest Loss and Conservation in Southeast Nigeria; Editors: JEFFERY, ROGER and BHASKAR VIRA; Conflict and Cooperation in Participatory Natural Resource Management; Editors: VIRA, BHASKAR and ROGER JEFFERY; Analytical Issues in Participatory Natural Resource Management

Review: Conflict and Cooperation in Participatory Natural Resource Management

Review: Conflict and Cooperation in Participatory Natural Resource Management

The value of wildlife

The value of wildlife has been widely ignored or under-rated in the past by the international community. At most, wildlife was considered from the limited aesthetic and touristic aspects. This situation has changed somewhat. In the majority of the veterinary profession, which is largely livestock-oriented, wildlife is increasingly considered in terms of wild animal production and occupies just as relevant a position as domestic animal production. Some economists are now trying to quantify the informal nature of a large portion of the wildlife sector. The importance of wildlife to local communities is now globally recognised in community-based or participatory natural resources management programmes. The authors highlight not only the economic importance of wildlife (which amounts to billions of United States dollars world-wide), through consumptive and non-consumptive uses, but also the present and potential nutritional value, the ecological role as well as the socio-cultural significance of wildlife for human societies of both the developed and the developing worlds. Also addressed in this chapter is a discussion on one of the main threats to wildlife conservation which consists of the reduction or even retrieval of the different values wildlife can offer.

The Twists and Turns of Community Participation in Natural Resource Management in Australia: What is Missing?

Aspects of Australian natural resource management, particularly forestry, such as harvesting from public native forests and establishing large-scale plantations on farmland, have been contentious for many years. In response to such contention with forestry development, local communities are increasingly seeking a role in determining the use and management of forest resources. Despite a growing acceptance of the need for community participation, there has been little analysis of the type and extent of participation that is most effective, and of the costs and benefits of participation in natural resource management. This paper draws on international and Australian experiences to provide a conceptual framework for analysing the role of participation in natural resource management, especially forestry. The authors provide three examples of how community participation has been developed in Australia, and aim to stimulate discussion on the wider role of participation in natural resource management.

Understanding Community-Based Forest Ecosystem Management

This paper synthesizes key issues identified and explored by a mix of practitioners, researchers, and resource managers who participated in a workshop designed to understand community-based ecosystem management. The interdependence between healthy ecosystems and community well-being lies at the heart of community-based ecosystem management. Core ideas focus on linking stewardship to the unique role that local communities and workers can play in its implementation; developing social and institutional processes that are more open, democratic and civil; monitoring ecosystem, social, and economic subsystems and modifying actions based on what is learned; empowering communities to strengthen their participation in natural resource management and address power imbalances; and developing a new understanding and valuation of the broad array of ecosystem products and services. The paper concludes with a discussion of ways community-based ecosystem management can be advanced, including: emphasizing the essential role of communities and workers in sustainable resource management; maintaining and building community capacity; improving understanding of worker issues and promoting an ecosystem workforce; establishing local and institutional processes that are inclusive, accessible and transparent; creating a civic science that respects and engages diverse people and knowledge systems; establishing new public and private approaches to long-term investment in ecosystem restoration and maintenance and in community-based stewardship; and advancing laws and policies that promote collaboration and coordination needed for long-term stewardship.

Deforestation and Land Degredation in the Ethiopian Highlands: A Strategy for Physical Recovery

Deforestation, accelerated soil erosion, and land degradation are serious problems in Ethiopia. To overcome these problems, efforts have been made to launch afforestation and conservation programs; success to date, however, has been limited. This paper will discuss agriculture and forestry practices in the Ethiopian highlands and try to identify the causes of deforestation and land degradation there. Agroforestry and social forestry practices, plantation forestry, and conservation of the remaining forests are proposed as a strategy for physical recovery. Social and policy issues such as local participation in natural resource management and the existence of clear land and tree tenure policies are critical for the long-term sustainability and expansion of forests in Ethiopia. In general, tree planting through agroforestry and social forestry should be an integral part of rural development programs to provide the community with food, fuel wood, income, and environmental benefits. Increasing public awareness through education about forestry and natural resource conservation is vital for maintaining Ethiopia's remaining natural forests and biodiversity.

Goal programming: Application in the management of the miombo woodland in Mozambique

Community-based management of natural resources (CBNRM) is a priority in Mozambique's policy on forestry and wildlife resources. In essence the government's policy is to manage the natural resources in partnership with the rural communities and the private sector. This represents a change in policy in the agricultural and natural resources sectors, and has potential for significant impact in economic development. This paper demonstrates the potential for employing goal programming as a planning tool in participatory natural resource management in Mozambique. The focus is on the miombo woodlands, which are the main natural forest resources in the country and which most of the local communities, the forestry and tourist industries depend on for a variety of forest products and services.

Co‐operation or capture? The paradox of co‐management and community participation in natural resource management and environmental policy‐making

This article examines the conditions under which community‐based management or co‐management is likely to result in either (i) successful collaboration between a state agency and a local community or (ii) ‘capture’ of a public agency by private or special interests. The article focuses on the role of state agencies in the creation and maintainance of successful co‐management regimes and discusses how state agencies can facilitate the creation of social trust while retaining independence and a concern for broader public interests. The author argues that a combination of bureaucratic autonomy and an effective, independent judiciary is an important institutional component for success. The argument is illustrated with the case of a co‐management regime for salmon fisheries in the US Pacific Northwest.

10.1079/ARC200510

Recent research on the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) has demonstrated that social capital has an important role to play in how fisheries are managed and, more importantly, how conflicts are dealt with. The present paper examines the management of fisheries conflicts through a social capital lens; and reviews the importance of the development of social capital by natural resource managers and policy makers in their bid to increase community participation in natural resource management. The paper de-bunks; the myth that island communities have high levels of co-operation and social cohesion. Using a structural/cognitive social capital analytical framework, it concludes that while structural or institutional social capital is high, cognitive or relational social capital is low. Failure to tackle the mismatch between structural and cognitive social capital is likely to lead to serious natural resource problems in the future and will ultimately inhibit collective action. It recommends that social capital be used as an entry point for future work that requires the involvement of the community but where there is no prior history of co-operation.

Landcare, Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture in Australia

There are over 2,500 Landcare groups with 65,000 members operating across Australia. With considerable evidence of program impact, Landcare is an important example of state sponsored community participation in natural resource management. However, the authors suggest excessive emphasis has been placed upon attitudinal change – the development of landholder stewardship, as the lever for effecting major changes in land management. Analysis of data from a landholder survey failed to establish predicted stewardship differences between Landcare and nonLandcare respondents or between those who joined early/late, or participated more/less in group activities. And there was no relationship between stewardship and adoption for most of the sustainable agriculture practices surveyed. Further analysis clearly linked Landcare participation and concern about the environmental and economic impacts of land degradation. Whilst respondents were significantly more concerned about economic impacts, research findings were consistent with earlier work indicating that most land managers have a strong stewardship ethic. The authors also suggest that concerns that Landcare is not addressing biodiversity conservation are largely unjustified and reflect urealistic expectations of these voluntary groups.

Landcare, Stewardship and Sustainable Agriculture in Australia

There are over 2,500 Landcare groups with 65,000 members operating across Australia. With considerable evidence of program impact, Landcare is an important example of state sponsored community participation in natural resource management. However, the authors suggest excessive emphasis has been placed upon attitudinal change – the development of landholder stewardship, as the lever for effecting major changes in land management. Analysis of data from a landholder survey failed to establish predicted stewardship differences between Landcare and nonLandcare respondents or between those who joined early/late, or participated more/less in group activities. And there was no relationship between stewardship and adoption for most of the sustainable agriculture practices surveyed. Further analysis clearly linked Landcare participation and concern about the environmental and economic impacts of land degradation. Whilst respondents were significantly more concerned about economic impacts, research findings were consistent with earlier work indicating that most land managers have a strong stewardship ethic. The authors also suggest that concerns that Landcare is not addressing biodiversity conservation are largely unjustified and reflect urealistic expectations of these voluntary groups.

Green production: toward an environmental rationality

Enrique Leff provides a Marxist approach to environment and development that focuses on the process of production, and its implications of the environmental crisis on human values. To truly achieve a more rational and integrated use of our natural resources, he convincingly argues for a reorientation of science and technology towards the objectives of sustainable development, the decentralization of production, and the participatory management of natural resources. Elaborating the links between critical political economy of the environment and political ecology, the author offers an alternative paradigm--based on a concept of ecotechnological rationality--for understanding and effectively integrating ecological productivity, technological innovation, and cultural organization in natural resource management. In addition, he provides an illuminating critique of traditional economic approaches to environmental development planning.