Indicator Approach to Understanding Resilience of Socio-ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)

Kaoru Ichikawa and Wataru SuzukiUnited Nations University

Institute for the Advanced Study of Sustainability

Seminar on Indicators Research29 January 2014

Bioversity International, Rome, Italy

Contents

1. Socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes

2. The Satoyama Initiative

3. Indicators for resilience of SEPLS

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Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes (SEPLS)

Harmonious interaction between people and nature

Support biodiversity while providing humans with the goods and services needed for their well-being

Dynamic mosaics of habitats and land uses

Deeply linked to local culture and knowledge

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Satoyama landscapes

Traditional agricultural landscape of Japan

Mosaics of farmlands, forests, grasslands, irrigation canals and ponds, settlements, etc.

Nurtured habitats maintained through appropriate management

Multifunctional landscape produces a bundles of ecosystem services

Source: JSSA

Socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes (SEPLS) around the world

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Cambodia(Srair-Chamkar)

© Setsuko Nakayama

Malawi (Chitemene)

Philippines (Muyong)

Spain (Dehesa)Korea (Mauel)

Home gardens

© BM Kumar

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The Satoyama Initiative

Aims to realize “societies in harmony with nature” through mainstreaming biodiversity into production landscapes and seascapes

Promotes broader global recognition of the value of “Socio-Ecological Production Landscapes and Seascapes” (SEPLS)

Initiated by Ministry of Environment, Japan, and UNU-IAS

Recognized by CBD COP in the area of sustainable use of biodiversity (Decisions of CBD COP10 and 11 X/32 and XI/25)

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International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI)

Established in 2010 at CBD COP10 in Japan

A global network to serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and fostering synergies among organizations working on SEPLS

A multi-stakeholder partnership consisting of organizations from national and local governments, NGOs, indigenous communities, private sector, academic, and international and UN organizations

Promotes and implements a wide range of activities at various levels

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IPSI Collaborative Activity on Indicators for Resilience of SEPLS

o Resilience

o Changes and shocks are inherent in ecosystems and societies

o To minimize and avoid critical damage could be more reasonable and pragmatic

o “The capacity of a system to absorb disturbances and reorganize while undergoing change so as to still retain essentially the same function, structure, identity, and feedbacks” (Walker et al. 2004)

Strengthening the resilience of SEPLS will contribute to the well-being of local communities.

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Indicator approach at national and global levels

Indicator approach plays an important role in monitoring progress toward specific targets and goals at national and global levels

E.g. Aichi Biodiversity Targets, MDGs. Quantitative and scientifically valid

indicators Can be compared across space and

time and aggregated into global data Assessment conducted by experts

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The resilience indicators of SEPLS

Indicators to measure resilience of SEPLS at the local level

Measure different aspects that are entailed by and essential for sustaining resilient landscapes

A tool for local communities to understand the status of their landscapes/seascapes to identify ways to enhance resilience to enhance participation and communication with different

stakeholders Assessment based on the local community’s

understanding and perception

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Development of indicators (2011-)

• A set of 20 indicators was developed by Bioversity International and UNU-IAS– Ecosystems protection and the

maintenance of biodiversity

– Agricultural biodiversity

– Knowledge, learning, and innovation

– Social equity and infrastructure

• The indicators have been applied/tested– By Bioversity International in Cuba, Kenya,

Nepal, and Bolivia

– By UNDP at COMDEKS sites in Brazil, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Fiji, Ghana, India, Malawi, Nepal, Slovakia, and Turkey

• Discussed during previous IPSI global conferences

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Toolkit development (2013-) To promote widespread use of the

indicators in different contexts

Toolkit on practical application of indicators is being developed by Bioversity International, UNDP, IGES, and UNU-IAS

Revision of indicators based on experiences of testing is also being undertaken

Scoping workshop (Apr 2013) Expert workshop (Jul 2013) SBSTTA side event (Oct 2013)

Toward achievement of global targets

Use of the indicators will contribute to Understanding the resilience of SEPLS

Development of resilience-strengthening strategies

Enhancing communication among relevant stakeholders

Empowering local communities

Participatory approach Local communities can engage in the whole process

from monitoring, assessment, and strategy development, to actions.

Actions that are suitable and beneficial to the local context can be made.

Ultimately contribute to achievement of global targets such as Aichi Biodiversity Targets and MDGs/SDGs.

Thank you for your attention!