Knowledge in action: Local knowledge as a development resource and barriers to its incorporation in natural resource research and development

Blaikie, Piers; Brown, Katrina; Stocking, Michael; Tang, Lisa; Dixon, Peter; Sillitoe, Paul

doi:10.1016/s0308-521x(97)00008-5

Cited by 102 publications

(68 citation statements)

References 6 publications

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“…A strong foundation of research has established the value of local and traditional knowledge, especially from resource users, as a source of detailed information about ecosystem processes and changes over long time frames, as well as an expression of local values (e.g., Blaikie et al 1997, Berkes et al 2000, Krupnik and Jolly 2002. A caution when relying on local knowledge is that resource users' experiences and observations are often most useful for confirming system interactions that relate directly to their livelihoods, rather than objective information about underlying SES processes (Gilchrist et al 2005, Ruddle andDavis 2011).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding social-ecological change and transformation through community perceptions of system identity

Andrachuk¹,

Armitage²

2015

E&S

189

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ABSTRACT. We developed an empirical approach to consider social-ecological system change and transformation by drawing on resource users' knowledge and perceptions. We applied this approach in the Cau Hai lagoon, a coastal area dominated by small-scale fisheries in central Vietnam. Nine focus groups with more than 70 fishers were used to gather information about key social-ecological system elements and interactions, historical social-ecological dynamics, and possible thresholds between distinct social-ecological system identities. The patterns of change in livelihoods and resource exploitation in the Cau Hai lagoon are similar to those seen in other coastal lagoon and small-scale fishery contexts. Our findings show some promise for the use of local knowledge and the perceptions of resource user communities to understand and characterize social-ecological transformations. Importantly, however, we also demonstrate how social-ecological transformations are complicated processes driven by many factors beyond the control of any singular individual or group. We argue that (1) the occurrence of social-ecological transformations can result in either positive or negative outcomes and (2) that we need to direct our thinking away from drawing tidy conclusions about if and when social-ecological transformations take place. Our research also encourages scholars to carefully consider how we frame the benefits of participatory, community-based governance initiatives. Importantly, we need to examine the ways that governance initiatives will be beneficial for some people and detrimental for others, and we need to be fully aware of locally contested interests and acknowledge competing priorities for fisheries management and human well-being. Community-oriented assessments informed by resilience thinking can help to open up questions about economic, political, cultural, and environmental aspects of undesirable path dependencies and traps.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding social-ecological change and transformation through community perceptions of system identity

Andrachuk¹,

Armitage²

2015

E&S

189

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“…Local knowledge within the 'development' context has variously been portrayed as part of a romantic past (Milton, 1996), a major obstacle to development (Blaikie et al, 1997), a panacea to environmental problems (Inglis, 1993), and as a critical component to locally driven development (Nygren, 1999). It is something that local people 'have' and is generally viewed as quite distinct from science or western thinking.…”

Section: Knowledge Repertoiresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Good or bad rangeland? Hybrid knowledge, science, and local understandings of vegetation dynamics in the Kalahari

2004

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Using data from field studies in the Kalahari rangelands of Southern Africa, the relationships between 'scientific' and 'land user' interpretations of land degradation and change in nonequilibrium savanna ecosystems are explored. Scientific and landuser views are often regarded as distinct, and even opposed, knowledges. We contest that a more constructive view can be taken through the concept of hybrid knowledge, whereby value is attached to both approaches and through which a more useful and meaningful assessment of environmental change, and its implications for development and natural resource use, can be made. We find that in both the southwestern and northwestern Kalahari, pastoralists have a complex understanding of the patchiness of ecosystem variability, and that they utilise elements of this patchiness of change, notably dimensions of bush encroachment and grass species change that have commonly been regarded as degradation in scientific understandings, within livestock management strategies, especially at times of environmental stress. We urge caution in the application of the term degradation, and a more widespread recognition of the multifaceted dimensions, including benefits, of change within the scientifically recognized variability of nonequilibrium rangelands.

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“…The cultural context of institutional adaptation and the differing conceptions of human-environment interactions within different knowledge systems are key to the resilience of institutions (Gadgil et al 1993;Blaikie et al 1997). Access to instrumental freedoms, namely political freedom, economic facilities, social opportunities, transparency guarantees, and protective security (Nussbaum, 2003;Robeyns, 2005), is necessary for a better quality of life and acquisition of the capabilities needed to build better resilience to climatic shocks.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the relationship between local institutions in SAT India and adaptation to climate variability

et al. 2012

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This paper examines the relationship between local institutions and adaptation to climate variability in four semi-arid villages in India. Based on a qualitative survey, it draws attention to the constraints that farming households face, the role of institutions, and the implications for their capacities to adapt. Using an institutional framework, the study examines the role of local institutions in facilitating community adaptation to perceived climate variability. It was found that at the institutional and community level farmers rely on government schemes that provide social safety nets and the private sector such as moneylenders as sources of adaptation options regarding access to credit. Serious constraints emerged, 2 however, in terms of adaptation to what may be a more challenging future. These constraints were further explored by means of grounded theory. The lack of collective feeling and action has hindered bargaining for better market prices and the development of alternate livelihood options. The need for better financial inclusion and access to more formal systems of finance is necessary to increase the overall adaptive capacity of households. During crisis situations or climatic shocks, the absence of these systems means the sale of household assets and resources especially among small and landless groups of farmers. Overall, rural households perceive that public, civic and private institutions play a significant role in shielding them against the adverse effects of climate variability. The perceived importance of different institutions is however different across different categories of farmers, women and labourers.

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Knowledge in action: Local knowledge as a development resource and barriers to its incorporation in natural resource research and development

Cited by 102 publications

References 6 publications

Understanding social-ecological change and transformation through community perceptions of system identity

Understanding social-ecological change and transformation through community perceptions of system identity

Good or bad rangeland? Hybrid knowledge, science, and local understandings of vegetation dynamics in the Kalahari

Exploring the relationship between local institutions in SAT India and adaptation to climate variability

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