Socio-Economic and Environmental Challenges of Small-Scale Fisheries: Prognosis for Sustainable Fisheries Management in Lake Kariba, Zambia
- Imbwae, Imikendu, Aswani, Shankar, Sauer, Warwick H H
- Authors: Imbwae, Imikendu , Aswani, Shankar , Sauer, Warwick H H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391422 , vital:68650 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043179"
- Description: The Lake Kariba fishery is of regional importance; it accounts for 35% of the total Zambian fish production. However, emerging evidence in the recent decades suggests that the fishery is facing socio-economic and environmental challenges. Using Ostrom’s framework for analysing socio-ecological systems, we examined the social, economic, and environmental problems faced by the fishing communities in Lake Kariba. The framework links various social, economic, and ecological factors to devise a sustainable fisheries management plan. A combination of survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations, and key informant interviews were used to assess this sustainability challenge. The data collected were subjected to bivariate and descriptive analysis. The results obtained did not show a significant decline in fish production over the past 13 years (R2 Linear = 0.119, p = 0.248). However, the experts and the fishers have reported declining trends in valuable fish species such as Oreochromis mortimeri, compounded by the increased fishing efforts (X2 = 180.14, p value = ˂ 0.00001). The key threats identified include: overfishing, weak institutions, and the introduction of invasive fish species such as Oreochromis niloticus. This situation has raised fears of fish depletion among the stakeholders. Based on these results, we recommend stronger institutional collaboration among the stakeholders in the riparian states and education that illustrates the global value of fisheries for food security and biodiversity conservation in pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Imbwae, Imikendu , Aswani, Shankar , Sauer, Warwick H H
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391422 , vital:68650 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su15043179"
- Description: The Lake Kariba fishery is of regional importance; it accounts for 35% of the total Zambian fish production. However, emerging evidence in the recent decades suggests that the fishery is facing socio-economic and environmental challenges. Using Ostrom’s framework for analysing socio-ecological systems, we examined the social, economic, and environmental problems faced by the fishing communities in Lake Kariba. The framework links various social, economic, and ecological factors to devise a sustainable fisheries management plan. A combination of survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations, and key informant interviews were used to assess this sustainability challenge. The data collected were subjected to bivariate and descriptive analysis. The results obtained did not show a significant decline in fish production over the past 13 years (R2 Linear = 0.119, p = 0.248). However, the experts and the fishers have reported declining trends in valuable fish species such as Oreochromis mortimeri, compounded by the increased fishing efforts (X2 = 180.14, p value = ˂ 0.00001). The key threats identified include: overfishing, weak institutions, and the introduction of invasive fish species such as Oreochromis niloticus. This situation has raised fears of fish depletion among the stakeholders. Based on these results, we recommend stronger institutional collaboration among the stakeholders in the riparian states and education that illustrates the global value of fisheries for food security and biodiversity conservation in pursuing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
Transboundary Fisheries Management in Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA): Prospects and Dilemmas
- Imbwae, Imikendu, Aswani, Shankar, Sauer, Warwick H H, Hay, Clinton J
- Authors: Imbwae, Imikendu , Aswani, Shankar , Sauer, Warwick H H , Hay, Clinton J
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391433 , vital:68651 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054406"
- Description: Inland fisheries in the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) offer food security to the riverine communities across the region. They also contribute towards the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 15, which aim to alleviate poverty and maintain biodiversity conservation. Despite this significant role, the fisheries have suffered severe declines in the previous decades due to multiple factors, such as overfishing and poor legislation. Furthermore, climate change is exerting pressure by altering the ecology and productivity of the river systems. The unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have further constrained management efforts. Attempts to address these challenges have pointed towards transboundary fisheries management as a silver bullet in moving towards sustainable fisheries management. However, the implementation of this strategy in the region has encountered numerous roadblocks, thereby subjecting the river ecosystem to a wider environmental threat, with dire consequences on livelihoods. This paper reviews existing management and governance structures together with key informant interviews to elicit primary and secondary data essential for management at the regional level. The study identifies conflicting regulations, and inadequate policies and institutions across the region as major bottlenecks affecting the successful implementation of transboundary fisheries management. Finally, the paper offers some suggestions for the improvement of fisheries management in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Imbwae, Imikendu , Aswani, Shankar , Sauer, Warwick H H , Hay, Clinton J
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/391433 , vital:68651 , xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054406"
- Description: Inland fisheries in the Kavango–Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA) offer food security to the riverine communities across the region. They also contribute towards the attainment of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals 1 and 15, which aim to alleviate poverty and maintain biodiversity conservation. Despite this significant role, the fisheries have suffered severe declines in the previous decades due to multiple factors, such as overfishing and poor legislation. Furthermore, climate change is exerting pressure by altering the ecology and productivity of the river systems. The unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic have further constrained management efforts. Attempts to address these challenges have pointed towards transboundary fisheries management as a silver bullet in moving towards sustainable fisheries management. However, the implementation of this strategy in the region has encountered numerous roadblocks, thereby subjecting the river ecosystem to a wider environmental threat, with dire consequences on livelihoods. This paper reviews existing management and governance structures together with key informant interviews to elicit primary and secondary data essential for management at the regional level. The study identifies conflicting regulations, and inadequate policies and institutions across the region as major bottlenecks affecting the successful implementation of transboundary fisheries management. Finally, the paper offers some suggestions for the improvement of fisheries management in the region.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
Social capital reduces vulnerability in rural coastal communities of Solomon Islands:
- Malherbe, Willem, Sauer, Warwick H H, Aswani, Shankar
- Authors: Malherbe, Willem , Sauer, Warwick H H , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150230 , vital:38951 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105186
- Description: Rural island communities are generally regarded as the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change. This perception arises due to them often being in less developed areas with high levels of exposure to stressors, while reportedly lacking the means to cope with these stressors. Studies which use developed-country yardsticks, such as those used in past IPCC-based assessments, when measuring vulnerability in less developed states will however inevitably over-pronounce its effects in such areas. The sustainable livelihoods approach provides an alternate means of determining vulnerability using capital assets such as social capital. The presence of these assets enables communities to pursue diverse livelihood strategies which ultimately serve to reduce their vulnerability. This study seeks to measure attributes of social capital in five marine dependent communities of Solomon Islands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Malherbe, Willem , Sauer, Warwick H H , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/150230 , vital:38951 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105186
- Description: Rural island communities are generally regarded as the most vulnerable groups affected by climate change. This perception arises due to them often being in less developed areas with high levels of exposure to stressors, while reportedly lacking the means to cope with these stressors. Studies which use developed-country yardsticks, such as those used in past IPCC-based assessments, when measuring vulnerability in less developed states will however inevitably over-pronounce its effects in such areas. The sustainable livelihoods approach provides an alternate means of determining vulnerability using capital assets such as social capital. The presence of these assets enables communities to pursue diverse livelihood strategies which ultimately serve to reduce their vulnerability. This study seeks to measure attributes of social capital in five marine dependent communities of Solomon Islands.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
The small pelagic fishery of the Pemba Channel, Tanzania: what we know and what we need to know for management under climate change
- Sekadende, Baraka, Scott, Lucy E P, Anderson, Jim, Aswani, Shankar, Francis, Julius, Jacobs, Zoe, Jebri, Fatma, Jiddawi, Narriman, Kamukuru, Albogast T, Kelly, Stephen, Kizenga, Hellen, Kuguru, Baraka, Kyewalyanga, Margareth, Noyon, Margaux, Nyandwi, Ntahondi, Painter, Stuart C, Palmer, Matthew, Raitsos, Dionysios, Roberts, Michael J, Sailley, Sévrine F, Samoilys, Melita, Sauer, Warwick H H, Shayo, Salome, Shaghude, Yohana, Taylor, Sarah F W, Wihsgott, Juliane U, Ekaterina Popova
- Authors: Sekadende, Baraka , Scott, Lucy E P , Anderson, Jim , Aswani, Shankar , Francis, Julius , Jacobs, Zoe , Jebri, Fatma , Jiddawi, Narriman , Kamukuru, Albogast T , Kelly, Stephen , Kizenga, Hellen , Kuguru, Baraka , Kyewalyanga, Margareth , Noyon, Margaux , Nyandwi, Ntahondi , Painter, Stuart C , Palmer, Matthew , Raitsos, Dionysios , Roberts, Michael J , Sailley, Sévrine F , Samoilys, Melita , Sauer, Warwick H H , Shayo, Salome , Shaghude, Yohana , Taylor, Sarah F W , Wihsgott, Juliane U , Ekaterina Popova
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178986 , vital:40102 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105322
- Description: Small pelagic fish, including anchovies, sardines and sardinellas, mackerels, capelin, hilsa, sprats and herrings, are distributed widely, from the tropics to the far north Atlantic Ocean and to the southern oceans off Chile and South Africa. They are most abundant in the highly productive major eastern boundary upwelling systems and are characterised by significant natural variations in biomass. Overall, small pelagic fisheries represent about one third of global fish landings although a large proportion of the catch is processed into animal feeds. Nonetheless, in some developing countries in addition to their economic value, small pelagic fisheries also make an important contribution to human diets and the food security of many low-income households. Such is the case for many communities in the Zanzibar Archipelago and on mainland Tanzania in the Western Indian Ocean. Of great concern in this region, as elsewhere, is the potential impact of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems in general, and on small pelagic fisheries in particular. This paper describes data and information available on Tanzania's small pelagic fisheries, including catch and effort, management protocols and socio-economic significance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Sekadende, Baraka , Scott, Lucy E P , Anderson, Jim , Aswani, Shankar , Francis, Julius , Jacobs, Zoe , Jebri, Fatma , Jiddawi, Narriman , Kamukuru, Albogast T , Kelly, Stephen , Kizenga, Hellen , Kuguru, Baraka , Kyewalyanga, Margareth , Noyon, Margaux , Nyandwi, Ntahondi , Painter, Stuart C , Palmer, Matthew , Raitsos, Dionysios , Roberts, Michael J , Sailley, Sévrine F , Samoilys, Melita , Sauer, Warwick H H , Shayo, Salome , Shaghude, Yohana , Taylor, Sarah F W , Wihsgott, Juliane U , Ekaterina Popova
- Date: 2020
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/178986 , vital:40102 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2020.105322
- Description: Small pelagic fish, including anchovies, sardines and sardinellas, mackerels, capelin, hilsa, sprats and herrings, are distributed widely, from the tropics to the far north Atlantic Ocean and to the southern oceans off Chile and South Africa. They are most abundant in the highly productive major eastern boundary upwelling systems and are characterised by significant natural variations in biomass. Overall, small pelagic fisheries represent about one third of global fish landings although a large proportion of the catch is processed into animal feeds. Nonetheless, in some developing countries in addition to their economic value, small pelagic fisheries also make an important contribution to human diets and the food security of many low-income households. Such is the case for many communities in the Zanzibar Archipelago and on mainland Tanzania in the Western Indian Ocean. Of great concern in this region, as elsewhere, is the potential impact of climate change on marine and coastal ecosystems in general, and on small pelagic fisheries in particular. This paper describes data and information available on Tanzania's small pelagic fisheries, including catch and effort, management protocols and socio-economic significance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
Governance mapping: a framework for assessing the adaptive capacity of marine resource governance to environmental change
- Dutra, Leo X C, Sporne, Ilva, Haward, Marcus, Aswani, Shankar, Cochrane, Kevern L, Frusher, Stewart, Gasalla, Maria A, Gianesella, Sônia M F, Grant, Tanith, Hobday, Alistair J, Jennings, Sarah M, Plagányi, Éva, Pecl, Gretta T, Salim, Shyam S, Sauer, Warwick H H, Taboada, Manuela B, Van Putten, Ingrid E
- Authors: Dutra, Leo X C , Sporne, Ilva , Haward, Marcus , Aswani, Shankar , Cochrane, Kevern L , Frusher, Stewart , Gasalla, Maria A , Gianesella, Sônia M F , Grant, Tanith , Hobday, Alistair J , Jennings, Sarah M , Plagányi, Éva , Pecl, Gretta T , Salim, Shyam S , Sauer, Warwick H H , Taboada, Manuela B , Van Putten, Ingrid E
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145336 , vital:38429 , DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.12.011
- Description: Marine social-ecological systems are influenced by the way humans interact with their environment, and external forces, which change and re-shape the environment. In many regions, exploitation of marine resources and climate change are two of the primary drivers shifting the abundance and distribution of marine living resources, with negative effects on marine-dependent communities. Governance systems determine ‘who’ makes decisions, ‘what’ are their powers and responsibilities, and ‘how’ they are exercised. Understanding the connections between the actors comprising governance systems and influences between governance and the environment is therefore critical to support successful transitions to novel forms of governance required to deal with environmental changes. The paper provides an analytical framework with a practical example from Vanuatu, for mapping and assessment of the governance system providing for management of coral reef fish resources. The framework enables a rapid analysis of governance systems to identify factors that can encourage, or hinder, the adaptation of communities to changes in abundance or availability of marine resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Dutra, Leo X C , Sporne, Ilva , Haward, Marcus , Aswani, Shankar , Cochrane, Kevern L , Frusher, Stewart , Gasalla, Maria A , Gianesella, Sônia M F , Grant, Tanith , Hobday, Alistair J , Jennings, Sarah M , Plagányi, Éva , Pecl, Gretta T , Salim, Shyam S , Sauer, Warwick H H , Taboada, Manuela B , Van Putten, Ingrid E
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145336 , vital:38429 , DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2018.12.011
- Description: Marine social-ecological systems are influenced by the way humans interact with their environment, and external forces, which change and re-shape the environment. In many regions, exploitation of marine resources and climate change are two of the primary drivers shifting the abundance and distribution of marine living resources, with negative effects on marine-dependent communities. Governance systems determine ‘who’ makes decisions, ‘what’ are their powers and responsibilities, and ‘how’ they are exercised. Understanding the connections between the actors comprising governance systems and influences between governance and the environment is therefore critical to support successful transitions to novel forms of governance required to deal with environmental changes. The paper provides an analytical framework with a practical example from Vanuatu, for mapping and assessment of the governance system providing for management of coral reef fish resources. The framework enables a rapid analysis of governance systems to identify factors that can encourage, or hinder, the adaptation of communities to changes in abundance or availability of marine resources.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Science in the service of society: Is marine and coastal science addressing South Africa's needs?
- Cochrane, Kevern L, Sauer, Warwick H H, Aswani, Shankar
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Sauer, Warwick H H , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126071 , vital:35847 , https://doi.10.17159/sajs.2019/4418
- Description: The modern world is confronted with many and diverse social and environmental challenges of high complexity. In South Africa, rapid and sustainable development is needed to address high levels of poverty and unemployment but this development has to take place in the context of an environment that is already severely impacted by human activities. Sound and relevant scientific input and advice, covering the full scope of each challenge, is essential for effective decisions and actions to address the needs. South Africa has the benefit of strong scientific capacity but the country’s National Development Plan reported that national research priorities were not always consistent with South Africa’s needs. We investigate the validity of that conclusion in the coastal and marine sciences by examining presentations made at the 2017 South African Marine Science Symposium on the theme of ‘Unlocking the ocean’s economic potential whilst maintaining social and ecological resilience’. Despite the theme, only 21% of the presentations were judged to be actionable and directly relevant to societal needs, as defined by the criteria used. Less than 7% were evaluated as being interdisciplinary within the natural sciences and approximately 10% were found to include both natural and human sciences. Poor representation by the human sciences was also noteworthy. This preliminary assessment highlights the need for an urgent review of the disciplinary representation and approaches in marine and coastal science in South Africa in the context of the priority practical needs of the country now and into the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Sauer, Warwick H H , Aswani, Shankar
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/126071 , vital:35847 , https://doi.10.17159/sajs.2019/4418
- Description: The modern world is confronted with many and diverse social and environmental challenges of high complexity. In South Africa, rapid and sustainable development is needed to address high levels of poverty and unemployment but this development has to take place in the context of an environment that is already severely impacted by human activities. Sound and relevant scientific input and advice, covering the full scope of each challenge, is essential for effective decisions and actions to address the needs. South Africa has the benefit of strong scientific capacity but the country’s National Development Plan reported that national research priorities were not always consistent with South Africa’s needs. We investigate the validity of that conclusion in the coastal and marine sciences by examining presentations made at the 2017 South African Marine Science Symposium on the theme of ‘Unlocking the ocean’s economic potential whilst maintaining social and ecological resilience’. Despite the theme, only 21% of the presentations were judged to be actionable and directly relevant to societal needs, as defined by the criteria used. Less than 7% were evaluated as being interdisciplinary within the natural sciences and approximately 10% were found to include both natural and human sciences. Poor representation by the human sciences was also noteworthy. This preliminary assessment highlights the need for an urgent review of the disciplinary representation and approaches in marine and coastal science in South Africa in the context of the priority practical needs of the country now and into the future.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Tools to enrich vulnerability assessment and adaptation planning for coastal communities in data-poor regions: application to a case study in Madagascar
- Cochrane, Kevern L, Rakotondrazafy, H, Aswani, Shankar, Chaigneau, Tomas, Downey-Breedt, Nicola, Lemahieu, Anne, Paytan, Adina, Pecl, Gretta T, Plagányi, Éva, Popova, Elizaveta, Van Putten, Ingrid E, Sauer, Warwick H H, Byfield, Val, Gasalla, Maria A, Van Gennip, Simon J, Malherbe, Willem, Rabary, Andriantsilavo, Rabeariso, Ando, Ramaroson, N, Randrianarimanana, V, Scott, Lucy E P, Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Rakotondrazafy, H , Aswani, Shankar , Chaigneau, Tomas , Downey-Breedt, Nicola , Lemahieu, Anne , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva , Popova, Elizaveta , Van Putten, Ingrid E , Sauer, Warwick H H , Byfield, Val , Gasalla, Maria A , Van Gennip, Simon J , Malherbe, Willem , Rabary, Andriantsilavo , Rabeariso, Ando , Ramaroson, N , Randrianarimanana, V , Scott, Lucy E P , Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145347 , vital:38430 , DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00505
- Description: Here we describe an interdisciplinary and multi-country initiative to develop rapid, participatory methods to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities and facilitate adaptation to climate change in data-poor regions. The methods were applied in Madagascar as a case study. The initiative centered on an exploratory research exercise in two communities in the south-west of Madagascar, a workshop held in Antananarivo in June 2016, combined with a component on communicating ocean science and climate change to stakeholders. It utilized innovative and rapid approaches to combine global and local skills and information on adaptation and resilience building, taking cognizance of national policies, and was based on the principles of a holistic, integrated and participatory approach. This paper summarizes the activities undertaken and assesses how effective they were in achieving the project goals, as well as presenting examples of the outputs obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Rakotondrazafy, H , Aswani, Shankar , Chaigneau, Tomas , Downey-Breedt, Nicola , Lemahieu, Anne , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva , Popova, Elizaveta , Van Putten, Ingrid E , Sauer, Warwick H H , Byfield, Val , Gasalla, Maria A , Van Gennip, Simon J , Malherbe, Willem , Rabary, Andriantsilavo , Rabeariso, Ando , Ramaroson, N , Randrianarimanana, V , Scott, Lucy E P , Tsimanaoraty, P M
- Date: 2019
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/145347 , vital:38430 , DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2018.00505
- Description: Here we describe an interdisciplinary and multi-country initiative to develop rapid, participatory methods to assess the vulnerability of coastal communities and facilitate adaptation to climate change in data-poor regions. The methods were applied in Madagascar as a case study. The initiative centered on an exploratory research exercise in two communities in the south-west of Madagascar, a workshop held in Antananarivo in June 2016, combined with a component on communicating ocean science and climate change to stakeholders. It utilized innovative and rapid approaches to combine global and local skills and information on adaptation and resilience building, taking cognizance of national policies, and was based on the principles of a holistic, integrated and participatory approach. This paper summarizes the activities undertaken and assesses how effective they were in achieving the project goals, as well as presenting examples of the outputs obtained.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Global trends of local ecological knowledge and future implications
- Aswani, Shankar, Lemahieu, Anne, Sauer, Warwick H H
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Lemahieu, Anne , Sauer, Warwick H H
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70504 , vital:29668 , https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195440
- Description: Local and indigenous knowledge is being transformed globally, particularly being eroded when pertaining to ecology. In many parts of the world, rural and indigenous communities are facing tremendous cultural, economic and environmental changes, which contribute to weaken their local knowledge base. In the face of profound and ongoing environmental changes, both cultural and biological diversity are likely to be severely impacted as well as local resilience capacities from this loss. In this global literature review, we analyse the drivers of various types of local and indigenous ecological knowledge transformation and assess the directionality of the reported change. Results of this analysis show a global impoverishment of local and indigenous knowledge with 77% of papers reporting the loss of knowledge driven by globalization, modernization, and market integration. The recording of this loss, however, is not symmetrical, with losses being recorded more strongly in medicinal and ethnobotanical knowledge. Persistence of knowledge (15% of the studies) occurred in studies where traditional practices were being maintained consiously and where hybrid knowledge was being produced as a resut of certain types of incentives created by economic development. This review provides some insights into local and indigenous ecological knowledge change, its causes and implications, and recommends venues for the development of replicable and comparative research. The larger implication of these results is that because of the interconnection between cultural and biological diversity, the loss of local and indigenous knowledge is likely to critically threaten effective conservation of biodiversity, particularly in community-based conservation local efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Aswani, Shankar , Lemahieu, Anne , Sauer, Warwick H H
- Date: 2018
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/70504 , vital:29668 , https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0195440
- Description: Local and indigenous knowledge is being transformed globally, particularly being eroded when pertaining to ecology. In many parts of the world, rural and indigenous communities are facing tremendous cultural, economic and environmental changes, which contribute to weaken their local knowledge base. In the face of profound and ongoing environmental changes, both cultural and biological diversity are likely to be severely impacted as well as local resilience capacities from this loss. In this global literature review, we analyse the drivers of various types of local and indigenous ecological knowledge transformation and assess the directionality of the reported change. Results of this analysis show a global impoverishment of local and indigenous knowledge with 77% of papers reporting the loss of knowledge driven by globalization, modernization, and market integration. The recording of this loss, however, is not symmetrical, with losses being recorded more strongly in medicinal and ethnobotanical knowledge. Persistence of knowledge (15% of the studies) occurred in studies where traditional practices were being maintained consiously and where hybrid knowledge was being produced as a resut of certain types of incentives created by economic development. This review provides some insights into local and indigenous ecological knowledge change, its causes and implications, and recommends venues for the development of replicable and comparative research. The larger implication of these results is that because of the interconnection between cultural and biological diversity, the loss of local and indigenous knowledge is likely to critically threaten effective conservation of biodiversity, particularly in community-based conservation local efforts.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Planning adaptation to climate change in fast-warming marine regions with seafood-dependent coastal communities
- Hobday, Alistair J, Cochrane, Kevern L, Howard, James, Aswani, Shankar, Byfield, Val, Duggan, Greg, Duna, Elethu, Dutra, Leo X C, Frusher, Stewart D, Fulton, Elizabeth A, Gammage, Louise, Gasalla, Maria A, Griffiths, Chevon, Guissamulo, Almeida, Haward, Marcus, Jarre, Astrid, Jennings, Sarah M, Jordan, Tia, Joyner, Jessica, Ramani, Narayana K, Shanmugasundaram, Swathi L P, Malherbe, Willem, Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly, Paytan, Adina, Pecl, Gretta T, Plagányi, Éva E, Popova, Ekaterina E, Razafindrainibe, Haja, Roberts, Michael J, Rohit, Prathiba, Sainulabdeen, Shyam S, Sauer, Warwick H H, Valappil, Sathianandan T, Zacharia, Paryiappanal U, Van Putten, E Ingrid
- Authors: Hobday, Alistair J , Cochrane, Kevern L , Howard, James , Aswani, Shankar , Byfield, Val , Duggan, Greg , Duna, Elethu , Dutra, Leo X C , Frusher, Stewart D , Fulton, Elizabeth A , Gammage, Louise , Gasalla, Maria A , Griffiths, Chevon , Guissamulo, Almeida , Haward, Marcus , Jarre, Astrid , Jennings, Sarah M , Jordan, Tia , Joyner, Jessica , Ramani, Narayana K , Shanmugasundaram, Swathi L P , Malherbe, Willem , Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva E , Popova, Ekaterina E , Razafindrainibe, Haja , Roberts, Michael J , Rohit, Prathiba , Sainulabdeen, Shyam S , Sauer, Warwick H H , Valappil, Sathianandan T , Zacharia, Paryiappanal U , Van Putten, E Ingrid
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125675 , vital:35806 , https://doi.10.1007/s11160-016-9419-0
- Description: Many coastal communities rely on living marine resources for livelihoods and food security. These resources are commonly under stress from overfishing, pollution, coastal development and habitat degradation. Climate change is an additional stressor beginning to impact coastal systems and communities, but may also lead to opportunities for some species and the people they sustain. We describe the research approach for a multi-country project, focused on the southern hemisphere, designed to contribute to improving fishing community adaptation efforts by characterizing, assessing and predicting the future of coastal-marine food resources, and codeveloping adaptation options through the provision and sharing of knowledge across fast-warming marine regions (i.e. marine ‘hotspots’). These hotspots represent natural laboratories for observing change and concomitant human adaptive responses, and for developing adaptation options and management strategies. Focusing on adaptation options and strategies for enhancing coastal resilience at the local level will contribute to capacity building and local empowerment in order to minimise negative outcomes and take advantage of opportunities arising from climate change. However, developing comparative approaches across regions that differ in political institutions, socio-economic community demographics, resource dependency and research capacity is challenging. Here, we describe physical, biological, social and governance tools to allow hotspot comparisons, and several methods to evaluate and enhance interactions within a multi-nation research team. Strong partnerships within and between the focal regions are critical to scientific and political support for development of effective approaches to reduce future vulnerability. Comparing these hotspot regions will enhance local adaptation responses and generate outcomes applicable to other regions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Hobday, Alistair J , Cochrane, Kevern L , Howard, James , Aswani, Shankar , Byfield, Val , Duggan, Greg , Duna, Elethu , Dutra, Leo X C , Frusher, Stewart D , Fulton, Elizabeth A , Gammage, Louise , Gasalla, Maria A , Griffiths, Chevon , Guissamulo, Almeida , Haward, Marcus , Jarre, Astrid , Jennings, Sarah M , Jordan, Tia , Joyner, Jessica , Ramani, Narayana K , Shanmugasundaram, Swathi L P , Malherbe, Willem , Ortega-Cisneros, Kelly , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Plagányi, Éva E , Popova, Ekaterina E , Razafindrainibe, Haja , Roberts, Michael J , Rohit, Prathiba , Sainulabdeen, Shyam S , Sauer, Warwick H H , Valappil, Sathianandan T , Zacharia, Paryiappanal U , Van Putten, E Ingrid
- Date: 2016
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/125675 , vital:35806 , https://doi.10.1007/s11160-016-9419-0
- Description: Many coastal communities rely on living marine resources for livelihoods and food security. These resources are commonly under stress from overfishing, pollution, coastal development and habitat degradation. Climate change is an additional stressor beginning to impact coastal systems and communities, but may also lead to opportunities for some species and the people they sustain. We describe the research approach for a multi-country project, focused on the southern hemisphere, designed to contribute to improving fishing community adaptation efforts by characterizing, assessing and predicting the future of coastal-marine food resources, and codeveloping adaptation options through the provision and sharing of knowledge across fast-warming marine regions (i.e. marine ‘hotspots’). These hotspots represent natural laboratories for observing change and concomitant human adaptive responses, and for developing adaptation options and management strategies. Focusing on adaptation options and strategies for enhancing coastal resilience at the local level will contribute to capacity building and local empowerment in order to minimise negative outcomes and take advantage of opportunities arising from climate change. However, developing comparative approaches across regions that differ in political institutions, socio-economic community demographics, resource dependency and research capacity is challenging. Here, we describe physical, biological, social and governance tools to allow hotspot comparisons, and several methods to evaluate and enhance interactions within a multi-nation research team. Strong partnerships within and between the focal regions are critical to scientific and political support for development of effective approaches to reduce future vulnerability. Comparing these hotspot regions will enhance local adaptation responses and generate outcomes applicable to other regions.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
The GULLS project: a comparison of vulnerabilities across selected ocean hotspots and implications for adaptation to global change
- Cochrane, Kevern L, Hobday, Alistair J, Aswani, Shankar, Byfield, Val, Dutra, Leo X C, Gasalla, Maria A, Haward, Marcus, Paytan, Adina, Pecl, Gretta T, Popova, Katya, Sainulabdeen, Shyam S, Savage, Candida, Sauer, Warwick H H, van Putten, Ingrid E, Visser, Natascha, TG Team
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Hobday, Alistair J , Aswani, Shankar , Byfield, Val , Dutra, Leo X C , Gasalla, Maria A , Haward, Marcus , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Popova, Katya , Sainulabdeen, Shyam S , Savage, Candida , Sauer, Warwick H H , van Putten, Ingrid E , Visser, Natascha , TG Team
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/422037 , vital:71906
- Description: The GULLS project, `Global learning for local solutions: Reducing vulnerability of marine-dependent coastal communities' has been underway since October 2014. The project has been investigating six regional `hotspots': marine areas experiencing rapid warming. These are south-east Australia, Brazil, India, Solomon Islands, South Africa, and the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar. Rapid warming could be expected to have social, cultural and economic impacts that could affect these countries in different ways and may already be doing so. GULLS has focused on contributing to assessing and reducing the vulnerability of coastal communities and other stakeholders dependent on marine resources and to facilitate adaptation to climate change and variability through an integrated and trans-disciplinary approach. It includes participants from Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The research programme has been divided into six inter-linked components: ocean models, biological and ecological sensitivity analyses, system models, social vulnerability, policy mapping, and communication and education. This presentation will provide a brief overview of each of these components and describe the benefits that have resulted from the collaborative and transdisciplinary approach of GULLS. Following the standard vulnerability elements of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, the vulnerabilities of coastal communities and other stakeholders dependent on marine resources in the five hotspots will be compared using a set of indicators derived and populated from results of the research programme. The implications of similarities and differences between the hotspots for adaptation planning and options will be described.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
- Authors: Cochrane, Kevern L , Hobday, Alistair J , Aswani, Shankar , Byfield, Val , Dutra, Leo X C , Gasalla, Maria A , Haward, Marcus , Paytan, Adina , Pecl, Gretta T , Popova, Katya , Sainulabdeen, Shyam S , Savage, Candida , Sauer, Warwick H H , van Putten, Ingrid E , Visser, Natascha , TG Team
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/422037 , vital:71906
- Description: The GULLS project, `Global learning for local solutions: Reducing vulnerability of marine-dependent coastal communities' has been underway since October 2014. The project has been investigating six regional `hotspots': marine areas experiencing rapid warming. These are south-east Australia, Brazil, India, Solomon Islands, South Africa, and the Mozambique Channel and Madagascar. Rapid warming could be expected to have social, cultural and economic impacts that could affect these countries in different ways and may already be doing so. GULLS has focused on contributing to assessing and reducing the vulnerability of coastal communities and other stakeholders dependent on marine resources and to facilitate adaptation to climate change and variability through an integrated and trans-disciplinary approach. It includes participants from Australia, Brazil, India, Madagascar, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. The research programme has been divided into six inter-linked components: ocean models, biological and ecological sensitivity analyses, system models, social vulnerability, policy mapping, and communication and education. This presentation will provide a brief overview of each of these components and describe the benefits that have resulted from the collaborative and transdisciplinary approach of GULLS. Following the standard vulnerability elements of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity, the vulnerabilities of coastal communities and other stakeholders dependent on marine resources in the five hotspots will be compared using a set of indicators derived and populated from results of the research programme. The implications of similarities and differences between the hotspots for adaptation planning and options will be described.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2016
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