Testing resilience thinking in a poverty context: Experience from the Niger River basin

Béné, Christophe; Evans, Louisa; Mills, David J.; Ovie, S.I.; Raji, A.; Tafida, Ahmadu Abubakar; Kodio, Aly; Sinaba, Famory; Morand, Pierre; Lemoalle, Jacques; Andrew, Neil L.

doi:10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2011.07.002

Cited by 74 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…Models are often data intensive and require observations of variables at multiple levels over long time periods, quantifying variables that provide system continuity (slow variables) and those that drive change, and then parsing out feedbacks and noise with limited degrees of certainty. These problems are amplified in data-poor cases, such as developing countries where long-term monitoring has not been established (Béné et al 2011). Furthermore, studies that only draw on ecosystem data are not geared toward capturing http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol20/iss4/art26/ normative dimensions of resource management challenges.…”

Section: A Framework To Assess Transformations Through System Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Crossing a threshold can occur through a single event (sharp and abrupt) or manifest through a series of small, incremental changes (slow and gradual). Recent studies have demonstrated the utility of investigating socially defined thresholds through the desirability of alternative system configurations or identities (e.g., Béné et al 2011, Biggs et al 2011, Parlee et al 2012. The concept of "thresholds of potential concern" has been applied as a means of exploring the relationship between real biophysical thresholds, social construction, and preferences (Biggs et al 2011).…”

Section: A Framework To Assess Transformations Through System Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Andrachuk¹,

Armitage²

2015

E&S

188

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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: A Framework To Assess Transformations Through System Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Framework To Assess Transformations Through System Identitymentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Andrachuk¹,

Armitage²

2015

E&S

188

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…and thresholds (What is the community's level of tolerance before it considers this element in a bad state?). This was done using a qualitative scoring system of 1-3, where 1 = inadequate, 2 = acceptable, and 3 = good, following other indicator studies including Mistry et al (2010), Béné et al (2011), and Davis et al (2013). The data for this activity was triangulated from information captured in the films and photostories, experience and knowledge of the indigenous researchers, and meetings organized in the communities to discuss and agree indicator status and thresholds.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Community owned solutions: identifying local best practices for social-ecological sustainability

Mistry¹,

Berardi²,

Tschirhart³

et al. 2016

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Policies and actions that come from higher scale structures, such as international bodies and national governments, are not always compatible with the realities and perspectives of smaller scale units including indigenous communities. Yet, it is at this local social-ecological scale that mechanisms and solutions for dealing with unpredictability and change can be increasingly seen emerging from across the world. Although there is a large body of knowledge specifying the conditions necessary to promote local governance of natural resources, there is a parallel need to develop practical methods for operationalizing the evaluation of local social-ecological systems. In this paper, we report on a systemic, participatory, and visual approach for engaging local communities in an exploration of their own social-ecological system. Working with indigenous communities of the North Rupununi, Guyana, this involved using participatory video and photography within a system viability framework to enable local participants to analyze their own situation by defining indicators of successful strategies that were meaningful to them. Participatory multicriteria analysis was then used to arrive at a short list of best practice strategies. We present six best practices and show how they are intimately linked through the themes of indigenous knowledge, local governance and values, and partnerships and networks. We highlight how developing shared narratives of community owned solutions can help communities to plan governance and management of land and resource systems, while reinforcing sustainable practices by discussing and showcasing them within communities, and by engendering a sense of pride in local solutions.

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“…To further support critical scrutiny of indicator selection, we applied a qualitative scoring system to each indicator, following other indicator studies including Mistry et al (2010), Béné et al (2011), and Davis et al (2013). The status of each indicator was evaluated and given a score of 1-3: 1-inadequate, 2-acceptable, and 3-good.…”

Section: Context and Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Applying the system viability framework for cross-scalar governance of nested social-ecological systems in the Guiana Shield, South America

Berardi¹,

Mistry²,

Tschirhart³

et al. 2015

E&S

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ABSTRACT. Linking and analyzing governance of natural resources at different scales requires the development of a conceptual framework for analyzing social-ecological systems that can be easily applied by a range of stakeholders whose interests lie at different scales, but where the results of the analysis can be compared in a straightforward way. We outline the system viability framework, which allows participants to characterize a range of strategies in response to environment challenges for maintaining the long-term survival of their particular system of interest. Working in the Guiana Shield, South America, and with a range of local, regional, and international stakeholders, our aim was to use system viability to (1) investigate synergies and conflicts between distinct scales of governance, (2) identify scale-related challenges, and (3) test the framework as a conceptual tool for supporting cross-scalar analysis for environmental governance.At the international and national levels, a number of civil society organizations explored system viability indicators that would measure the successful implementation of governance mechanisms relevant to sustainable development and natural resource management. At the local level, we used participatory video and photography within two indigenous territories to enable local participants to identify indicators of viability within community governance systems. A grounded theory approach was then used to identify common themes across the different scales of analysis.Five key themes emerged: land rights, leadership, partnerships, lifestyle, and identity. We found that although most categories of interest were theoretically aligned across scales, all perceived systems of interest were struggling to face up to various cross-scalar challenges undermining different system viability responses. In conclusion, we highlight how the system viability framework can be used with a disparate variety of stakeholders as a practical, participative and "big-picture" approach for facilitating the integrated governance of nested local and regional social-ecological systems.

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Testing resilience thinking in a poverty context: Experience from the Niger River basin

Cited by 74 publications

References 46 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

Community owned solutions: identifying local best practices for social-ecological sustainability

Applying the system viability framework for cross-scalar governance of nested social-ecological systems in the Guiana Shield, South America

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