What are integrated landscape approaches and how effectively have they been implemented in the...

James Reed, Liz Deakin, Josh van Vianen, Terry Sunderland (CIFOR)

ATBC, Honolulu, July 13th 2015

What are integrated landscape approaches and how effectively have they been implemented in the tropics: a systematic map

What are integrated landscape approaches?

A response to the failings of sectorial land management approaches

The latest in a series of attempts to concurrently address conservation and development challenges

A refinement of previous approaches A method to integrate stakeholders at multiple scales A framework to integrate policy and practice An attempt to reconcile traditional scientific disciplinary

divides A land management strategy to fulfill social, economic,

ecological & cultural objectives A tool to assess performance and manage trade-offs within

the landscape All of the above?

Landscapes are complex socio-ecological systems

Hypothesis:

The confusion over the conceptualization and application of integrated landscape approaches is impeding policy traction and practitioner uptake.

Terminology confusion (from Google):We use the same words but we aren’t speaking the

same languageObjective:Systematically map the available evidence to provide clarity

Systematic Review Maps

• Transparent, repeatable, pre-determined methodology• Commonly used in medical research• Recently adopted by natural and social sciences (see www.environmentalevidence.org)

MethodsEvolution of search terms and strategy:• Internal/external consultation• Two stakeholder workshops (Nairobi & Cape Tribulation)• Extensive scoping exercise using Web of Science• Developed inclusion/exclusion criteria for studies• Protocol published. See Reed et al. 2015: http://

www.biomedcentral.com/content/pdf/2047-2382-4-2.pdf

Specialist databases:ScopusCAB DirectISI Web of KnowledgePubMed Internet searches:Google ScholarOther:Grey literature search

Screening results: peer-reviewed articles

26,303 scoping results in WoK using 35 revised search terms

13,290 Publications captured with refined search termsAll TITLES screened

271,974 results from initial 56 main search terms trialed in WoK

1,171 Relevant studies All ABSTRACTS screened

382 Relevant studiesAll FULL TEXTS screened

82 Final studies of relevance

Further screening

215 Grey literature documents

56 Articles identified by the author group/experts in the field

82 Articles retrieved from screening the bibliographies of relevant peer-reviewed material

As a further attempt to reduce bias, the review team rotated ‘accepted at full text’ articles.

Objectives Outputs

Proposed

• Chart theory

• Untangle definitions

• Map implementations • 1 final publication

Realized

• Multiple questions• Theory development distinct from

implementation• Case studies not widely reported in

peer reviewed material• Toolkit potential• Further confusion surrounding

definitions?• Multiple outputs

Development of“Integrated Landscape Approach” theory

Development of the Landscape Approach

1980s 1990s 2000s 2010 - present

1980s: Integrated Rural Development

1998: Integrated Natural Resource Management (INRM)

1985 onwards: Integrated Conservation & Development projects (ICDPs)

Contributing Sciences:Ecosystem ManagementLandscape EcologyIsland biogeography

Conservation rooted frameworks e.g. “Ecosystem Approach”

1992: “Landscape Approach” first documented (Barrett 1992)

Last decade: (Integrated) Landscape Approach frameworks

Lessons learned• Landscape Approaches often funded on short term or temporary basis (time limited project

investments)• Terminology issues• Landscape approach remains relatively under-theorized• Lack of true integration across scientific disciplines• Institutional barriers - government agencies still rooted in silos• Governance concerns• Empowerment and engagement concerns• Lack of appropriate metrics and monitoring

Systematic Review on Landscape Approaches

The case studies

Preliminary results

Geographical Distribution of Case Studies

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Region

No.

of c

ase

stud

ies

Preliminary results

Main Project Focus of Case Studies

Livelihoods

Water

Forests

Soil

Biodiversity Conservation

Agriculture

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

29%

16%

25%

13%

13%

4%

Percentage of peer-reviewed studies (%)

Preliminary results (peer-reviewed only)

Success of implementation Reasons identified for success

Successf

ul

Not dete

rmined

Mixed

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Institu

tional Support

Resource

Limita

tion

Community M

anagement

Sufficient F

inances

Capacity Build

ing

Adaptive Management

Strong Le

adership

Other

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

Successful Mixed

Challenges Large body of literature on “landscape approaches” and

“ecosystem approaches” but little consensus on applicability or terminology

General principles and guidelines have been largely missingBut see: Sayer et al. 2013. Ten principles for a landscape approach… However, need to avoid “one size fits all” approach Governance concerns, lack of empowerment given to rural

communities Limited private sector investment Institutional & disciplinary barriers - government agencies

still rooted in silos Lack of appropriate metrics: “monitoring is the least well

developed area” Stop making assumptions, start acting…but how?!

Learn from what works

And avoid repeating mistakes

Thank you for your attentionSpecial thanks to Terry Sunderland, Josh van Vianen and Liz Deakin

http://www.landscapes.org/