Participatory data collection for ecosystem services research

Abstract

From achieving food and water security to ensuring biodiversity conservation, many of the challenges facing the modern world require an understanding of the interdependencies between ecosystem services and poverty alleviation. This manual presents a series of qualitative datacollection tools often grouped under the umbrella of Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) that can be used to obtain local information on the contributions of ecosystem services to livelihoods and food security as well as their implications for natural resource management initiatives.

Drawing on the experience of the ESPA-funded ASSETS project in investigating the links between ecosystem services, food security and nutritional status at the forest-agriculture interface, this manual outlines the process of developing a project-specific set of PRA tools. This process begins with a review of project objectives and key concepts, on the basis of which a set of desired variables can be identified. These, in turn, determine which PRA tools should be applied.

Detailed instructions are provided for over 20 of these tools, from well-being ranking to mapping, matrices, seasonal calendars and Venn diagrams. All are presented in a consistent format which outlines the objectives of the exercise, who it should be carried out with, what equipment is needed, what diagrams might be drawn and what sorts of prompt questions could be asked. The manual also provides guidance on the logistics of planning and implementing participatory research, including discussion of the ethical issues that may arise, and how best to report and synthesise results across several sites.

By applying these varied tools, users will be able to collaborate with local communities to obtain current and trend information on livelihoods and land use, food security (including seasonal changes and coping strategies), mapping and ranking of ecosystem services as well as gaining an understanding of natural resource governance systems and local perceptions of key drivers of change. The methods presented here should be of interest to researchers working broadly in the field of ecosystem services and well-being issues, enabling them to improve their understanding of the ways ecosystems function, the services they provide to a range of different beneficiaries and their relationship with the political economy and sustainable development.