Traditional Natural Resource Management Research Articles

Integrating ecology into natural resource management policy

Traditional natural resource management policy has largely focused on implementing prescriptive solutions to maximize a production function. The fundamental assumptions of this approach were: (1) that ecosystems behaved in a linear, deterministic manner; (2) that there was general community agreement on the value of different ecosystem services; and (3) that land managers would accept and adopt the recommended technology. The result has generally been an unpredictable performance by ecosystems, conflicting expectations among users, and low adoption rates for the outputs of research and development (R&D). We propose that an approach that integrates the fundamentals of nonequilibrium ecology and "soft" systems methodologies to define options, make management decision recommendations, and implement programs will result in improved predictability of ecosystem response, more realistic expectations on the part of users of ecosystem services, and better uptake of technology by land managers.

Evaluating the effectiveness of participatory agroforestry extension programmes in a pastoral system, based on existing traditional values

The Turkana silvo-pastoral system is a traditional natural resource management strategy for dry lands that forms a sensible basis for improvement. Involvement of the local people is vital in adapting and improving the system, to bring out the potentials that exist in terms of broad land management strategies and more specifically in terms of individual tree species. The participatory extension process being used by the forestry department is presented. It relates to the traditional natural management base as a means of trying to identify potentials, constraints, problems and solutions. Such extension programmes are difficult to evaluate. The data gathering methods for evaluating such extension work, involving over 6000 people, is discussed in the light of a mobile people, lack of sampling frame and large distances in an arid and semi-arid environment. The results of two surveys, together with other informal data gathering mechanisms, show that change is taking place, particularly in qualitative terms, and indicates the effectiveness of the participatory extension programme.

Natural resources and the environment: The challenge of economic and social development

In a global society committed to ever-expanding economic and social development, natural resource professionals must adopt an enlarged perspective of their professions—a truly global perspective. The objective, professional-as-scientist concerned only with a single discipline in a limited region, is no longer adequate to the task. It is no longer enough to limit the focus of our "professional" concern to traditional natural resource management issues. World population pressures, the growing dangers of global air pollution and nuclear war threaten the entire global environment we have sought to conserve. It is time to bring some passion to the service of reason. It is time to understand worldwide air pollution and issues of war and peace as environmental problems. It is time to recognize that population policy is natural resource policy writ large.