There is a need to better understand how scientific knowledge is used in decision-making. This is especially true in the Global South where policy processes often occur under high political uncertainty and where a shift toward multilevel governance and decision-making brings new opportunities and challenges. This study applies knowledge-policy models to analyse a forestry research project that succeeded in influencing national policy-making. We investigate how decisions were made, what factors affected and shaped the policy process, and how scientific knowledge was used. The results highlight the complexity of policy processes and the related challenges in crossing the science-policy interface. Perceptions of scientific knowledge differed greatly among stakeholders, and those perceptions strongly influenced how scientific knowledge was valued and used. The findings suggest a need for researchers to better understand the problem context to help design and implement research that will more effectively inform decision-making.
Tag: Decision-making
How effective are on-farm conservation land management strategies for preserving ecosystem services in developing countries?: A systematic map protocol
Background
An extensive body of literature in the field of agro-ecology claims to show the positive effects that maintenance of ecosystem services can have on sustainably meeting future food demand, by making farms more productive and resilient, and contributing to better nutrition and livelihoods of farmers. In Africa alone, some research has estimated a two-fold yield increase if food producers capitalize on new and existing knowledge from science and technology. Site-specific strategies adopted with the aim of improving ecosystem services may incorporate principles of multifunctional agriculture, sustainable intensification and conservation agriculture. However, a coherent synthesis and review of the evidence of these claims is largely absent, and the quality of much of this literature is questionable. Moreover, inconsistent effects have commonly been reported, while empirical evidence to support assumed improvements is largely lacking.
Objectives
This systematic map is stimulated by an interest to (1) collate evidence on the effectiveness of on-farm conservation land management for preserving and enhancing ecosystem services in agricultural landscapes, by drawing together the currently fragmented and multidisciplinary literature base, and (2) geographically map what indicators have been used to assess on-farm conservation land management. For both questions, we will focus on 74 low-income and developing countries, where much of the world’s agricultural expansion is occurring, yet 80% of arable land is already used and croplands are yielding well below their potential.
Methods/Design
To this end, reviewers will systematically search bibliographic databases for peer-reviewed research from Web of Science, SCOPUS, AGRICOLA, AGRIS databases and CAB abstracts, and grey literature from Google Scholar, and 22 subject-specific or institutional websites. Boolean search operators will be used to create search strings where applicable. Ecosystem services included in the study are pollination services; pest-, carbon-, soil-, and water-regulation; nutrient cycling; medicinal and aromatic plants; fuel wood and cultural services. Outputs of the systematic map will include a database, technical report and an online interactive map, searchable by topic. The results of this map are expected to provide clarity about synergistic outcomes of conservation land management, which will help support local decision-making.
Mechanism to identify, define and prioritize interdisciplinary forest research themes at national, regional and global levels
This paper describes how to sets of factors-the economic characteristics of the benefits of research, and the policy network of diverse actors and their interests-determine not only the priorities for (interdisciplinary) forest research themes but also the choice of mechanisms for the decision-making process itself. The paper extends the literature in organisation theory and political science, to propose a theoretical framework to guide the identification, definition, and prioritisation of interdisciplinary forest research themes at the global level. Such a framework seems necessary if proposals before the Intergovernmental Forum on Forests for supporting and coordinating international forestry research, are to succeed. The paper leads to the conclusion that international deliberations on forests would benefit substantially from a new kind of formal arrangement for providing scientific input. For example, a scientific advisory body could help to bridge the gap between the information needs of negotiators and policy makers and the scientific and research community
Multiple criteria decision making approaches to assessing forest sustainability using criteria and indicators: a case study
This paper describe the use of multiple criteria decision tools for assessing criteria and indicators designed to evaluate sustainable forest management. Three techniques called ranking, rating, and pairwise comparisons are described and used within the framework of a generic set of criteria and indicators applied in a case study involving a forest concession in Kalimantan, Indonesia. For the case study, an assessment team consisting of national and international experts representing various disciplines was chosen to conduct an assessment of the forest concession. The criteria and indicators (C&I) developed by the Center for International Forestry Research were used as a reference. From this generic set of C&I, the assessment team made revisions to make the set more relevant to the prevailing conditions in the forest concession. This modified set was used in the assessment of the concession. Results from the study indicate that these techniques are effective tools both for selecting sets of criteria and indicators and eventually for prioritising them. The methods are highly transparent, easy to understand, and offer a convenient environment for participatory decision-making. These are desirable features of any evaluation but most especially for a complex assessment problem such as forest sustainability.
Development of a methodology for selecting criteria and indicators of sustainable forest management: a case study on participatory assessment
This paper describes an application of multiple criteria analysis (MCA) in assessing criteria and indicators adapted for a particular forest management unit. The methods include: ranking, rating, and pairwise comparisons. These methods were used in a participatory decision-making environment where a team representing various stakeholders and professionals used their expert opinions and judgements in assessing different criteria and indicators (C&I), and how suitable and applicable they are to a forest management unit. A forest concession located in Kalimantan, Indonesia, was used as the site for the case study. Results from the study show that the multi-criteria methods are effective tools that can be used as structured decision aids to evaluate, prioritise, and select sets of C&I for a particular forest management unit. Ranking and rating approaches can be used as a screening tool to develop an initial list of C&I. Pairwise comparison, on the other hand, can be used as a finer filter to further reduce the list. In addition to using these three MCA methods, the study also examines two commonly used group decision-making techniques; the Delphi method and the nominal group technique. Feedback received from the participants indicates that the methods are transparent, easy to implement, and provide a convenient environment for participatory decision-making.
Nutritious Food Portfolios for targeting year-round food harvest and nutrient gaps – Ziway
Climate-Smart Agricultural Value Chains: Risks and Perspectives
Extreme weather is causing significant problems for smallholder farmers and others who depend on agricultural value chains in developing countries. Although value-chain analysis can help untangle the complex relationships within agricultural systems, it often has failed to take into account the effects of climate change. Climate-change assessments, meanwhile, often focus on the production node while neglecting other components of the value chain. In response to these shortcomings, the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), in collaboration with the Government of Kenya, developed the climate risk profiles (CRP) approach. Using a case study from Nyandarua County in Kenya, we illustrate how this approach (i) supports identification of major climate risks and their impacts on the value chain, (ii) identifies adaptation interventions, and (iii) promotes the mainstreaming of climate-change considerations into development planning at the subnational level. Our results show that the magnitude of a climate risk varies across value chains. At the input and production stage, strategies for supporting climate-smart value chains include the following: improving access to input markets, supporting diversification and value addition, provision of climate-smart production technologies, dissemination of climate information services, and making financial and insurance services available. At the harvesting, processing and marketing stages, useful interventions would include strengthening farmer organization, investing in climate-proofed infrastructure including roads and facilities for storage, processing and improving access to output markets. Finally, climate-change adaptation along the value chain would be improved by strengthening existing institutions, exploring public-private partnerships and adopting coherent local policies.
In situ leaf litter production, decomposition and nutrient release of dry Afromontane trees
The litter fall production, decomposition and subsequent nutrient release of Carrisa edulis, Juniperus procera, Maytenus obscura and Olea europaea was monitored in the dry Afromontane forest of Northern Ethiopia by collecting abscised leaves using litter trap with a 192 litter bags in a randomised complete block design and collected monthly for 8 months where leaf mass and nutrient release of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) were monitored. J. procera had the highest litter fall production. C. edulis had the highest leaf mass loss (27%) followed by M. obscura (22%) and the lowest was from J. procera (9%). The leaf of J. procera had significantly higher C content (p < 0.05) than the leaf of the other three species. Leaf of C. edulis N concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the other species. C. edulis had the fastest litter decomposition rate and the lowest was found in J. procera. High lignin, lignin:N and C:N was found in J. procera followed by O. europaea and were low in C. edulis. The rate of decomposition of J. procera leaves were slower than the other three species. The higher lignin, lignin:N and C:N contents of J. procera leaves contributed to the slower decomposition rate. The litter fall from C. edulis can be a supplemental source of nutrients for fertility maintenance nutrient deficient areas and low organic matter and the leaves of J. procera could be used as mulch to prevent erosion in erosion prone areas.
A framework for prioritising nutrient management research in vegetable production in the southern Philippines
This paper describes an approach which has been used to identify and prioritise nutrient management research activities in a project currently being undertaken in the southern Philippines. It has highlighted the potential to improve the productivity and profitability of these systems by reallocating limited capital (fertiliser) resources from phosphorus and potassium to nitrogen based on an application of soil test information and the principles of nutrient budgeting. This approach also has applications for developing broader agricultural research programs in that it can be used as a tool for identifying and prioritising the activities which are likely to be the most successful and establish likely timeframes for impact.
Increasing DryDev’s effectiveness and efficiency through probabilistic decision modelling
This working paper describes the Decision Analysis work done on the Drylands Development Programme (DryDev) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme was designed to address water management, food security and rural economic development in the drylands of Kenya, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. The initiative was geared towards supporting the transition of smallholder households from subsistence farming and reliance on emergency aid towards more sustainable agribusiness enterprises. Decision Analysis was used as a quantitative ex-ante impact assessment tool to prioritize interventions based on their projected impacts. The assessment simulated the potential of four interventions in six project sites of Eastern Kenya, incorporating risk and uncertainty in decision modelling. The result delivered to the decision makers was a range of plausible outcomes from a cost benefit analysis and a description of the variables with the highest critical uncertainties whose measurement would most facilitate decision-making. This paper describes the modelling process, which was both participatory and probabilistic, for each intervention. It gives details on the quantitative approach used for each of the four interventions separately, highlighting the benefit, cost and risk variables and the interactions between them. It then discusses the results of each decision model and from these makes recommendations to the decision makers. The penultimate section highlights the limitations and constraints faced by the analysis, and this is followed by general conclusions. The DryDev Programme is funded by the Netherlands’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with ICRAF as the lead implementing agency and SNV, CARITAS, ADRA and World Vision as implementing partners.