Land degradation assessment through an ecosystem services lens: Integrating knowledge and methods in pastoral semi-arid systems

Tarrason, D. and Ravera, F. and Reed, M.S. and Dougill, A.J. and Gonzalez, L. (2016) Land degradation assessment through an ecosystem services lens: Integrating knowledge and methods in pastoral semi-arid systems. Journal of Arid Environments, 124. pp. 205-213. ISSN 01401963 (ISSN)

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Abstract

This paper develops and applies an integrated and participatory methodological framework to assess land degradation in pastoral systems through an ecosystem services (ES) lens in a semi-arid region of northern Nicaragua. We initially integrated local and scientific knowledge to assess ecological changes and understand the links with ecosystem services supplied by the local grazing system. Hence, we discuss land degradation features and test a state-and-transition ecological model, that is, we developed jointly with local farmers the hypotheses to understand transitions between ecological states and these hypotheses were then evaluated through an inventory of vegetation and an assessment of soil properties and seed bank composition. The assessment reveals that shifts in ecological state do not cause permanent soil properties changes, but that at a landscape scale they can limit production, affecting local livelihoods. The framework proposed provided local farmers with relevant information and facilitated communication with researchers, enabling them to use the co-constructed knowledge to implement adaptive management strategies to improve local productive systems. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number:	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaridenv.2015.08.002
Dates:	Date Event 3 August 2015 Accepted 3 September 2015 Published Online 1 January 2016 Published
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ecological changes, Ecosystem services, Land degradation, Nicaragua, Participatory assessment, State-and-transition model
Subjects:	CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-03 - landscape design CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-01 - architecture CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-02 - building CAH13 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01 - architecture, building and planning > CAH13-01-04 - planning (urban, rural and regional)
Divisions:	Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Engineering and the Built Environment Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Engineering and the Built Environment > School of Built Environment
Depositing User:	Users 18 not found.
Date Deposited:	15 Jun 2016 08:51
Last Modified:	22 Mar 2023 12:16
URI:	https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/550

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