Systems Approach: Socio-Ecological Systems/Rural Livelihoods
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Environment
Abstract
Climate variability and change, population increase, and agricultural intensification represent significant pressures on productive and ecologically valuable land in East Africa. Montane forests support high densities of populations and agricultural production, e.g. 1000 people per km2 in the Chagga home-gardens of Kilimanjaro (Hemp, 2013). Such Multifunctional Agricultural Landscape Mosaics (MALM) support high levels of biodiversity while also underpinning local livelihoods and regional food security (Miner et al., 2015). In addition to provisioning services, there is an important role for montane forest in the regulation for water, carbon, soil productivity, pollination and pest control (Swetnam et al., 2013). Hence, MALM can provide an agricultural land use matrix in which all critical aspects of sustainability (ecological, social, economic, political and cultural) are incorporated.
In a context of unprecedented climatic change and social pressure on ecosystems, how the ecosystem services of these MALM systems are best distributed and managed for the multifaceted purposes of climate change adaptation and socio-economic sustainability is a complex and challenging question. Improved understanding of MALM system dynamics and responses to environmental change could underpin informed community-based management, policy, and interventions that enhance integrated water and land management processes, and improve agro-ecosystems function and productivity. But, it is increasingly recognised that successful management of natural resources and adaptation to change within such complex systems depends too on processes for knowledge sharing and co-production, the potential for which is shaped by social, cultural and political relations between diverse stakeholders (Whitfield, 2016).
Here, the combining of the local and experiential knowledge of residents and land managers with the techniques and tools of socio-ecological system mapping offer a means to building a holistic and appropriate evidence base to inform management. Critical reflection on social dynamics and incomplete knowledge politics will essential for achieving just outcomes within such management.
Objectives
To assess the interrelated functions and services of MALM in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya by mapping, through participatory GIS, the agricultural land use matrix.
To evaluate nature-based adaptation practices (afforestation, conservation agriculture, irrigation and water management, and integrated pest management) against projected future change and locally prioritized needs (e.g. for achieving food security, providing livelihood opportunities, maintaining biodiversity, and fulfilling cultural, aesthetic, conservation and recreational needs).
To critically reflect on the way that politics and social dynamic splay out within this process of knowledge generation and management
In a context of unprecedented climatic change and social pressure on ecosystems, how the ecosystem services of these MALM systems are best distributed and managed for the multifaceted purposes of climate change adaptation and socio-economic sustainability is a complex and challenging question. Improved understanding of MALM system dynamics and responses to environmental change could underpin informed community-based management, policy, and interventions that enhance integrated water and land management processes, and improve agro-ecosystems function and productivity. But, it is increasingly recognised that successful management of natural resources and adaptation to change within such complex systems depends too on processes for knowledge sharing and co-production, the potential for which is shaped by social, cultural and political relations between diverse stakeholders (Whitfield, 2016).
Here, the combining of the local and experiential knowledge of residents and land managers with the techniques and tools of socio-ecological system mapping offer a means to building a holistic and appropriate evidence base to inform management. Critical reflection on social dynamics and incomplete knowledge politics will essential for achieving just outcomes within such management.
Objectives
To assess the interrelated functions and services of MALM in the Taita Hills of southern Kenya by mapping, through participatory GIS, the agricultural land use matrix.
To evaluate nature-based adaptation practices (afforestation, conservation agriculture, irrigation and water management, and integrated pest management) against projected future change and locally prioritized needs (e.g. for achieving food security, providing livelihood opportunities, maintaining biodiversity, and fulfilling cultural, aesthetic, conservation and recreational needs).
To critically reflect on the way that politics and social dynamic splay out within this process of knowledge generation and management
Organisations
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ES/J500215/1 | 01/10/2011 | 02/10/2022 | |||
| 1791913 | Studentship | ES/J500215/1 | 01/10/2016 | 09/10/2023 | Rebecca Newman |
| ES/P000746/1 | 01/10/2017 | 30/09/2027 | |||
| 1791913 | Studentship | ES/P000746/1 | 01/10/2016 | 09/10/2023 | Rebecca Newman |
| Description | This study applied the Dynamic Environmental Sustainability of Livelihoods (DESL) framework to focus groups with village leaders and elders in ten sites across Unguja and Pemba islands of Zanzibar to explore how people interact with their environment to meet their water, energy and food (WEF) needs and how such interactions alter across temporal and spatial scales. Results demonstrated that though there was a general improvement in access to cleaner water, that sporadic and unequal supply exposed people to perturbations in security. There was also a shift from subsistence farming to purchasing of food, however, as employment was insecure and livelihood activities often seasonal households were exposed to fluctuations in food security. Finally, deforestation and forest degradation severely impacted on firewood security, this resulted in people travelling further, using less quality fuel and buying fuel. Consequently, steps need to be taken to improve peoples preparedness for change and to facilitate smooth transitions between subsistence in income based lifestyles. |
| Exploitation Route | (a) Policy development within Zanzibar around sustainable land use management for supporting resource security (b) Research framework for investigating social-ecological relationships in small island contexts |
| Sectors | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Communities and Social Services/Policy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| URL | https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/4/1340 |
| Description | (a) Multi-stakeholder workshops brought together representatives from different sectors to discuss cross-institutional issues in need of collaborative management. (b) Dissemination and training workshops delivered to over 80 beekeepers in Taita Hills, Kenya |
| First Year Of Impact | 2019 |
| Sector | Agriculture, Food and Drink,Energy,Environment,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Societal |
| Description | Beekeeping training and dissemination workshops |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | I held a research dissemination and training day in the Taita Hills, Kenya following my MSc project about challenges in beekeeping. This was a 1 day workshop delivered in the lowlands, midlands and highlands to the beekeepers from the study. The purpose was the address the challenges which they communicated in the research interviews. I also received £1000 in funding from Bees Abroad to also deliver value addition training. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |