Making land management more sustainable: experiences implementing a new methodological framework in Botswana

It is increasingly recognised that tackling land degradation through more sustainable land management depends on incorporating multiple perspectives by using a variety of methods at multiple scales, including the perspectives of those who manage and/or use the land. This paper reports experience implementing a previously proposed methodological framework that is designed to facilitate knowledge sharing between researchers and stakeholders about land degradation severity and extent, and sustainable land management options. Empirical findings are presented from the Botswana site of the EU-funded Desertification Mitigation and Remediation of Land project. The paper reflects upon the challenges and benefits of the proposed framework and identifies a number of benefits, notably related to insights arising from the integration of local and scientific knowledge, and the ownership of the sustainable land management strategies that emerged from the process. However, implementing the framework was not without challenges, and levels of poverty and formal education may limit the implementation of the framework in some developing world contexts

Dialogic science-policy networks for water security governance in the arid Americas

Addressing wicked problems challenging water security requires participation from multiple stakeholders, often with conflicting visions, complicating the attainment of water-security goals and heightening the need for integrative and effective science-policy interfaces. Sustained multi-stakeholder dialogues within science-policy networks can improve adaptive governance and water system resilience. This paper describes what we define as “dialogic science-policy networks,” or interactions -- both in structural and procedural terms -- between scientists and policy-makers that are: 1) interdisciplinary, 2) international (here, inter-American), 3) cross-sectoral, 4) open, 5) continual and iterative in the long-term, and 6) flexible. By fostering these types of interactions, dialogic networks achieve what we call the 4-I criteria for effective science-policy dialogues: inclusivity, involvement, interaction, and influence. Here we present several water-security research and action projects where some of these attributes may be present. Among these, a more comprehensive form of a dialogic network was intentionally created via AQUASEC, a virtual center and network initially fostered by a series of grants from the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Subsequently, AQUASEC has significantly expanded to other regions through direct linkages and additional program support for the International Water Security Network, supported by Lloyd's Register Foundation and other sources. This paper highlights major scientific and policy achievements of a notable suite of science-policy networks, shared practices, methods, and knowledge integrating science and policy, as well as the main barriers overcome in network development. An important gap that remains for future research is the assessment and evaluation of dialogic science-policy networks' long-term outcomes.Fil: Lutz Ley, America N.. El Colegio de Sonora; MéxicoFil: Scott, Christopher A.. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Wilder, Margaret. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Varady, Robert G.. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Ocampo Melgar, Anahi. Universidad de Chile.; ChileFil: Lara Valencia, Francisco. Arizona State University; Estados UnidosFil: Zuniga Teran, Adriana. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Buechler, Stephanie. University of Arizona; Estados UnidosFil: Díaz Caravantes, Rolando. El Colegio de Sonora; MéxicoFil: Ribeiro Neto, Alfredo. El Colegio de Sonora; MéxicoFil: Pineda Pablos, Nicólas. El Colegio de Sonora; MéxicoFil: Martin, Facundo Damian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto de Ciencias Humanas, Sociales y Ambientales; Argentin

CAPRi technical workshop on Watershed Management Institutions: a summary paper

The System-wide Program for Collective Action and Property Rights (CAPRi) sponsored a workshop on Watershed Management Institutions, March 13-16, 1999 in Managua, Nicaragua. The workshop focused on methodologies for undertaking research on watersheds, particularly those issues and tools that enable a more thorough understanding of the complex interactions between the biophysical factors and socioeconomic institutions of watersheds. Both social and biophysical scientists from CGIAR and other research institutions were brought together to present research and participate in focused discussions on methodologies for addressing collective action and property rights, scale, participation, and impact assessment. The forum also provided an opportunity for participants to visit and learn from a watershed project being implemented by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), and to discuss one another's ongoing watershed research project experience and explore opportunities for collaboration.International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), Impact assessment,

Integrated design of transport infrastructure and public spaces considering human behavior: A review of state-of-the-art methods and tools

In order to achieve holistic urban plans incorporating transport infrastructure, public space and the behavior of people in these spaces, integration of urban design and computer modeling is a promising way to provide both qualitative and quantitative support to decision-makers. This paper describes a systematic literature review following a four-part framework. Firstly, to understand the relationship of elements of transport, spaces, and humans, we review policy and urban design strategies for promoting positive interactions. Secondly, we present an overview of the integration methods and strategies used in urban design and policy discourses. Afterward, metrics and approaches for evaluating the effectiveness of integrated plan alternatives are reviewed. Finally, this paper gives a review of state-of-the-art tools with a focus on seven computer simulation paradigms. This article explores mechanisms underlying the complex system of transport, spaces, and humans from a multidisciplinary perspective to provide an integrated toolkit for designers, planners, modelers and decision-makers with the current methods and their challenges

Futuring Perspectives and Practices for Urban Extension

Extension is well-positioned to engage strategically with urban communities now and in the future. A century of collaboration and proven impact provides Extension with a valuable foundation focused on relevant service accessible to all people; applied science and co-discovery; respectful and inclusive engagement; and commitment to community well-being. An exploration of the literature on the future, from the Extension perspective and from external viewpoints, informs a contemporary approach to focus on the future of urban Extension. An interplay of Extension professionals with diverse community stakeholders and dynamic technologies bridges past perspective and current context with practical methods to address the future. Essential practices for urban Extension professionals include developing futuring literacy, experimenting with innovative futuring approaches, managing decision making as Extension creates the future, and entrepreneurially addressing change throughout the futuring process. Increasing growth and diversity in metropolitan areas present an opportunity to blend familiar planning paradigms with a more emergent model for urban Extension in which change is continuous, and leadership is agile (Doyle & Brady, 2018)

Human computation for data, information, and knowledge management

The paradigm of Human Computation has grown rapidly in recent years and has thus sparked great interest in both the industry and the research community. In this survey, we give an overview of the state-of-the-art of human computation in the context of data, information, and knowledge management (DIKM). On the one hand, we study how to use human intelligence to solve computation problems in DIKM applications such as data acquisition, data analysis, data curation, data storage, and data usage. On the other hand, we study how to help computational systems to solve human problems by understanding human needs. Towards this goal, we cover the kinds of human-computation systems; the various techniques for design and dissemination of tasks for human interaction; the methods employed for reconciling human inputs against given tasks and determining the quality of those inputs; and the various kinds of applications based on human computation

Critical systems heuristics

Critical systems heuristics (CSH) is a framework for reflective professional practice organised around the central tool of boundary critique. This paper, written jointly by the original developer, Werner Ulrich, and Martin Reynolds, an experienced practitioner of CSH, offers a systematic introduction to the idea and use of boundary critique. Its core concepts are explained in detail and their use is illustrated by means of two case studies from the domain of environmental planning and management. A particular focus is on working constructively with tensions between opposing perspectives as they arise in many situations of professional intervention. These include tensions such as ‘situation’ versus ‘system’, ‘is’ versus ‘ought’ judgements, concerns of ‘those involved’ versus ‘those affected but not involved’, stakeholders’ ‘stakes’ versus ‘stakeholding issues’, and others. Accordingly, boundary critique is presented as a participatory process of unfolding and questioning boundary judgements rather than as an expert-driven process of boundary setting. The paper concludes with a discussion of some essential skills and considerations regarding the practice of boundary critique. Parts of the account of the NRUA-Botswana study in Section 6.2 of the present paper are reproduced from an earlier publication by one of the authors (Reynolds 2007); we are grateful to the publishers of Edge Press, Point Reyes, CA, for granting us permission to reproduce this material. We do not need the systems concept at all if we are not interested in handling systems boundaries critically

Team Integration

We leverage theoretical advances and the multi-user nature of \emph{argumentation}. The overall contributions of our work are as follows. We model the schema matching network and the reconciliation process, where we relate the experts' assertions and the constraints of the matching network to an \emph{argumentation framework}. Our representation not only captures the experts' belief and their explanations, but also enables to reason about these captured inputs. On top of this representation, we develop support techniques for experts to detect conflicts in a set of their assertions. Then we guide the conflict resolution by offering two primitives: \emph{conflict-structure interpretation} and \emph{what-if analysis}. While the former presents meaningful interpretations for the conflicts and various heuristic metrics, the latter can greatly help the experts to understand the consequences of their own decisions as well as those of others. Last but not least, we implement an argumentation-based negotiation support tool for schema matching (ArgSM), which realizes our methods to help the experts in the collaborative task

Rethinking plant breeding and seed systems.

ABSTRACT The article stresses the need to reassess plant breeding and seed systems in our current era, characterized by rapidly shifting paradigms propelled by technological and scientific progress. It underscores the importance of incorporating cutting-edge technologies, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and implementing forward-looking policies to meet evolving societal and consumer demands while aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Advancements in genetic editing, high-throughput technologies, precision breeding, and digital agriculture are transforming plant breeding, offering unprecedented capabilities to develop desirable traits, comprehend gene-environment interactions, and enhance crop efficiency. However, responsible innovation that considers ethical implications and regulatory frameworks remains essential in this context. Effective collaboration and engagement of stakeholders, including breeders, farmers, policymakers, and consumers, are v tal for navigating the challenges and opportunities presented by this era of exponential change. Inclusive and multidisciplinary dialogues can harness diverse perspectives and experiences, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future for plant breeding and seed production. Ensuring access to diverse, high-quality seeds is crucial, especially in developing nations. Investments in seed infrastructure, capacity building, and farmer-centric approaches empower farmers and bolster seed security. In conclusion, the article underscores the significance of reimagining plant breeding and seed systems by embracing technology, promoting collaboration, and aligning strategies with the SDGs. By harnessing the potential of exponential changes, the envisioned future involves plant breeding and seed production that effectively address evolving societal and consumer needs, thereby contributing to agricultural resilience, global food security and sustainability

The political ecology of spatial development initiatives, Indonesia

Indonesia is a socially and environmentally diverse nation where people make difficult decisions affecting the sustainability and inclusivity of their development. It contains the world's fourth largest and still rapidly growing population, who are vigorously pursuing increased economic well-being. Indonesia also contains, arguably, the worlds' most biodiverse ecosystems. Institutional complexity is high. Rapidly changing legislation and shifting hierarchies of control have beset the stewardship of natural, economic, and social assets with difficulties. Indonesia's development threats and opportunities, alongside its rich but degrading natural resources present governance challenges, the lessons of which have relevance and implications far beyond Indonesia's borders. My thesis explores the lessons learned from landscapes in Indonesia, where the difficult decisions over resource-use allocations unfold. Using place-based, sustainability science, and a transdisciplinary research approach, I diagnose the social, economic, environmental, and political change underway in landscapes on four islands. These islands span Indonesia's comparatively less developed east, to the more developed west. Landscapes are the unit of analysis due to evidence that they are the most manageable scale to understand and 'enter' systems. The landscapes examined in thesis are recipients of large investments into extractive industries, agriculture, and other spatial development initiatives. I examine these drivers of change in different contexts, including estate crops, gold-mines, infrastructure, and decentralized governance. The thesis addresses three overarching questions, (1) what are leverage points in landscapes for interventions that lead to long-term sustainable development outcomes? (2) What are the impacts of spatial development initiatives on livelihoods and the environment within a landscape? (3) How might research better support co-learning to improve processes and outcomes of landscape change. I collaboratively frame the issues and potential solutions with local people affecting and affected by decisions over resource use and allocation. I experiment with a range of participatory qualitative and quantitative methods including Q Methodology, visualization techniques, theory of change, interviews, and actor network analysis. My results show that governance is the main constraint to sustainable and inclusive development in landscapes. Narratives that shape governance in landscapes emerge from politically diverse vantage points. Science to enhance sustainability and inclusivity must understand these political vantage points and begin to co-generate narratives with the full range of decision-makers in landscapes. Landscape-level network analysis can help identify where knowledge co-generation and integration is opportune and can be more influential. Clear and agreed theories of change should emphasize the need to shift institutional arrangements so that they are more conducive to inclusive and sustainable development. The key lesson from this research is that local governance arrangements evolve to meet the expectations of people in their own contexts, which may be counter-intuitive to external researchers who have preconceptions of what constitutes good, sustainable, and inclusive development. But Indonesia's governance systems face the same adaptation challenges observed globally, where economic and infrastructural developments outpace social adaption rates. Organizations that wish to improve decision-making processes toward enhanced sustainability and inclusivity should seek opportunities to more strategically leverage change. Efforts should be made to bridge gaps between traditional and State management systems. This requires diagnosing the entire social-political-economic-ecological system. To assist, scientists and academia must put more emphasis on the cogeneration and integration of knowledge across disciplinary boundaries, into the pre-existing actor-networks that shape landscapes. Lessons from Indonesia contribute insights for broader global sustainable development solutions