INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNTAINS FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY

Transcription

1 KEY NOTE ADDRESS On INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MOUNTAINS FOR THE 21 ST CENTURY By Professor Mary J. N. Okwakol Vice Chancellor, Busitema University PRESENTED AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON EAST AFRICAN MOUNTAINS (ICEAM) 2011 MBALE RESORT HOTEL FROM 14TH TO 16 TH NOVEMBER

2 INTRODUCTION CONTENT DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PILLARS OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH AND INFORMATION NEEDS CHALLENGES OF INRM IMPLICATIONS TO INSTITUTIONS CASE STUDY AND PROJECT OUTCOMES RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH CONCLUSION 2

3 INTRODUCTION Mountain areas are highly vulnerable to human misuse and ecological imbalance, leading to accelerated soil erosion, landslides and rapid loss of habitat and loss of genetic diversity. This often affects not only upland communities, but those living downstream as well. 3

4 INTRODUCTION CONT D There is widespread poverty among mountain inhabitants which results in unwise methods of resource use in these areas. As a result mostmountain areas are experiencing environmental degradation. Hence, the proper management of mountain resources and socio-economic development of the people deserves immediate action. 4

5 INTRODUCTION CONT D In the Mount Elgon watershed area, frequent landslides triggered by land use change occur due to erratic and heavy rains and high population densities. In this region landslides occur on yearly basis and have affected more than 490,000 out of the 1,330,000 people living in the area. Lake Kyoga basin areas, on the other hand, experience flooding during heavy rains which originate from Mount Elgon area. Additionally, poor land use practices have led to soil erosion with consequent silting of river beds at the downstream areas. 5

6 DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The most widely recognized definition of SD is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. 6

7 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT PILLARS The UN 2005 World Summit identified 3 pillars: Economic Development Social Development Environmental Development 7

8 SCHEME OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT The framework of the World Summit of Local and Regional leaders (November 2010)identified culture as the forth pillar of sustainable development. 8

9 RESEARCH AND INFORMATION NEEDS Based on the problems outlined above, generating and strengthening knowledge about the ecology and sustainable development of mountain ecosystems will promote integrated development and alternative livelihood opportunities. This calls for building research capacity which fully integrates biophysical and socio-economic development concerns and ensure that research findings are appropriately disseminated and applied. 9

10 WHY INNOVATIONS IN RESEARCH FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Most research initiatives emphasize component over systems-level goals. Research projects are designed to maximize yields of products within a researcher s area of expertise (foresters, animal scientists, soil scientists, water engineers). Need to integrate livelihoods with conservation goals. 10

11 ALTERNATIVE PARADIGM Participatory Research integrates farmers /stakeholders priorities into research leading to increased impact. Farming system research and extension leads to a strong integration and synergy among biophysical components. Integrated research for development integrates technological research with social, policy and institutional aspects of development collective decision making - Recommended 11

12 COMPARISON OF EXISTING AND DESIRED RESEARCH PARADIGMS Parameter Participatory R FSR INR Level of Participation High High High Dimensions Addressed Technological Technological Level of Intervention Plot Farm Level of Decision- Making Individual Individual Biophysical, Social, Policy, Institutional Farm, Landscape, District Collective (locallocal and localexternal) Level of Interdisciplinarity Medium High High (diverse; biophysical integration t) 12

13 COMPARISON OF NON-INTEGRATED AND INTEGRATED RESEARCH Aspect Research Questions Non-Integrated 1) Which tree species yield the most timber? (tree) 2) Which soil conservation structures are best for erosions control? (soil) 3) Which water structures protect water quality best? ( Water) Integrated (fostering component synergies in planning) 1) How can soil conservation structures, tree planting and drainage systems enhance agricultural production/productivity while minimizing erosion and enhancing recharge long-term) (tree, soil, water)? 2) How can attention to water resources increase community enthusiasm for investments in activities with longer-term returns from catchment management? Source: Laura German,

14 CHALLENGES OF INRM One of the key challenges is complexity. This calls for capacity building or researchers in systems perspectives. It is also necessary to prioritize critical interactions and variables. 14

15 IMPLICATIONS FOR INSTITUTIONS Need for interdisciplinary teams Research Units interdisciplinary Review of University Curricula to embrace new perspectives Increased funding Staffing to include marketing and poicy specialists 15

16 CASE STUDY Conservation and sustainable management of Below Ground Bio Diversity (CSM-BGBD) Project whose main goal was to enhance awareness, knowledge and understanding of below-ground biodiversity important to sustainable agricultural production in tropical landscapes by demonstrating methods for conservation and sustainable management. Project was implemented in seven tropical countries Brazil, Cote d Ivore, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico,Uganda Focus was on tropical forest benchmark sites 16

17 CASE STUDY CONT D The Project was executed by TSBF-CIAT with co-funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implementation support from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). 17

18 BENCHMARK SITES 18

19 PROJECT OUTCOMES Internationally accepted standard methods for characterization and evaluation of BGBD. Inventory and evaluation of BGDB in benchmark sites representing a range of globally significant ecosystems and land uses Global information exchange network for BGBD. Sustainable and replicable management practices for BGBD Conservation. 19

20 PROJECT OUTCOMES CONT D Recommendations for alternative land use practices and advisory support system for policies to enhance conservation of BGBD.- Uganda Improved capacity of all relevant institutions and stakeholders to implement conservation and management of BGBD in a sustainable and efficient manner. 20

21 RECOMMENDATIONS FOR INNOVATIVE RESEARCH Integration of Researchers in the problems of the mountain regions in East Africa eg project, network or both Integration of the researchers of the mountain regions in East Africa necessary to promote joint activities, facilitating contacts between countries and institutions and creating conditions for technical cooperation and resource mobilization at the national, regional and global levels. 21

22 RECOMMENDATIONS CONT D Determination of the problems and ideas for future scientific projects concerning the mountain ecosystems. Tans-border cooperation in areas with sustainable practices and assessing the research monitoring or other components of research inputs for the development of these regions. 22

23 RECOMMENDATIONS CONT D Chance to get in touch with international organizations involved in mountain research. 23

24 CONCLUSION Integrated research approaches have the potential to strengthen synergies between research and development, development and conservation, and diverse disciplines and sectors. Strategies and mechanisms for managing complexity, including capacity building, adaptability by institutions, curricula review and Incentives should be embraced. 24

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