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Landscape characterization integrating expert and local spatial knowledge of land and forest resources

(2013) ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. 52(3). p.660-682
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Abstract
In many developing countries, political documentation acknowledges the crucial elements of participation and spatiality for effective land use planning. However, operative approaches to spatial data inclusion and representation in participatory land management are often lacking. In this paper, we apply and develop an integrated landscape characterization approach to enhance spatial knowledge generation about the complex human-nature interactions in landscapes in the context of Zanzibar, Tanzania. We apply an integrated landscape conceptualization as a theoretical framework where the expert and local knowledge can meet in spatial context. The characterization is based on combining multiple data sources in GIS, and involves local communities and their local spatial knowledge since the beginning into the process. Focusing on the expected information needs for community forest management, our characterization integrates physical landscape features and retrospective landscape change data with place-specific community knowledge collected through participatory GIS techniques. The characterization is established in a map form consisting of four themes and their synthesis. The characterization maps are designed to support intuitive interpretation, express the inherently uncertain nature of the data, and accompanied by photographs to enhance communication. Visual interpretation of the characterization mediates information about the character of areas and places in the studied local landscape, depicting the role of forest resources as part of the landscape entity. We conclude that landscape characterization applied in GIS is a highly potential tool for participatory land and resource management, where spatial argumentation, stakeholder communication, and empowerment are critical issues.
Keywords
culture, ecology, Tanzania, GIS, dynamics, Community forest management, Landscape character, PGIS, Zanzibar, Tanzania, cover change, classification, assessments, management, Knowledge integration, biodiversity, sustainability

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MLA
Fagerholm, Nora, et al. “Landscape Characterization Integrating Expert and Local Spatial Knowledge of Land and Forest Resources.” ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, vol. 52, no. 3, 2013, pp. 660–82, doi:10.1007/s00267-013-0121-x.
APA
Fagerholm, N., Käyhkö, N., & Van Eetvelde, V. (2013). Landscape characterization integrating expert and local spatial knowledge of land and forest resources. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, 52(3), 660–682. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0121-x
Chicago author-date
Fagerholm, Nora, Niina Käyhkö, and Veerle Van Eetvelde. 2013. “Landscape Characterization Integrating Expert and Local Spatial Knowledge of Land and Forest Resources.” ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 52 (3): 660–82. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0121-x.
Chicago author-date (all authors)
Fagerholm, Nora, Niina Käyhkö, and Veerle Van Eetvelde. 2013. “Landscape Characterization Integrating Expert and Local Spatial Knowledge of Land and Forest Resources.” ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 52 (3): 660–682. doi:10.1007/s00267-013-0121-x.
Vancouver
1.
Fagerholm N, Käyhkö N, Van Eetvelde V. Landscape characterization integrating expert and local spatial knowledge of land and forest resources. ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT. 2013;52(3):660–82.
IEEE
[1]
N. Fagerholm, N. Käyhkö, and V. Van Eetvelde, “Landscape characterization integrating expert and local spatial knowledge of land and forest resources,” ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, vol. 52, no. 3, pp. 660–682, 2013.
@article{5830158,
  abstract     = {{In many developing countries, political documentation acknowledges the crucial elements of participation and spatiality for effective land use planning. However, operative approaches to spatial data inclusion and representation in participatory land management are often lacking. In this paper, we apply and develop an integrated landscape characterization approach to enhance spatial knowledge generation about the complex human-nature interactions in landscapes in the context of Zanzibar, Tanzania. We apply an integrated landscape conceptualization as a theoretical framework where the expert and local knowledge can meet in spatial context. The characterization is based on combining multiple data sources in GIS, and involves local communities and their local spatial knowledge since the beginning into the process. Focusing on the expected information needs for community forest management, our characterization integrates physical landscape features and retrospective landscape change data with place-specific community knowledge collected through participatory GIS techniques. The characterization is established in a map form consisting of four themes and their synthesis. The characterization maps are designed to support intuitive interpretation, express the inherently uncertain nature of the data, and accompanied by photographs to enhance communication. Visual interpretation of the characterization mediates information about the character of areas and places in the studied local landscape, depicting the role of forest resources as part of the landscape entity. We conclude that landscape characterization applied in GIS is a highly potential tool for participatory land and resource management, where spatial argumentation, stakeholder communication, and empowerment are critical issues.}},
  author       = {{Fagerholm, Nora and Käyhkö, Niina and Van Eetvelde, Veerle}},
  issn         = {{0364-152X}},
  journal      = {{ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT}},
  keywords     = {{culture,ecology,Tanzania,GIS,dynamics,Community forest management,Landscape character,PGIS,Zanzibar,Tanzania,cover change,classification,assessments,management,Knowledge integration,biodiversity,sustainability}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{3}},
  pages        = {{660--682}},
  title        = {{Landscape characterization integrating expert and local spatial knowledge of land and forest resources}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-013-0121-x}},
  volume       = {{52}},
  year         = {{2013}},
}

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