General description
This course is an integrated part of the adaptive management and strategic planning to establish management plan which includes scientific, management, legal, economic and social actions to be implemented to ensure sustainability of natural ecosystems and resources. It elaborates on means and mechanisms which facilitate the effective plan and tackles several social, economic and legal aspects to be considered in the elaboration and development of plan.
The course consists of five chapters:
1- National rules and regulations: Natural resources are regulated through national and local legislations. Assuming that the legislation is implemented successfully it would secure the long-term sustainable natural-resource management system. Ensuring the involvement of various stakeholders during the decision-making process and adequate management policy are crucial for the success of the management system. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories.
2- culture and beliefs and ownership in natural resources: This chapter tackle the cultural beliefs and practices of communities and directly impact the management of natural systems and resources. Because they are too diverse, it is however, crucial that the management system takes cultural beliefs and practices into account when advocating for a management practice to users. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories. When applying the resource management plan, it must consider the natural systems and resources tenure. There are Government tenure, Local authority tenure and Private tenure. The ownership element must be considered in the elaboration of management plan. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories.
3- Eco-labeling and marketing: International and national markets are increasingly aware of the need for sustainable natural resource management. This would need a good marketing infrastructure; a strong secretariat is needed to manage the system and an extensive advocacy and extension programme. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories.
4- Financial supports and incentives: Mainstreaming natural systems management through resource incentives which are given by national, regional or local authorities lead to a better achievement of economic goals of the management plan. Both resource and tax incentives have short term impacts; the impact will stay intact as long as the incentive is in place. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories.
5- Trade-off between natural ecosystem and resources: Trade –off is an important tool in decision making process. It is achieved through a holistic picture of the available natural systems and resources and directly linked to national policy. Trade-off is achieved in collaboration between scientists, managers and users and stakeholders. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) helps to ensure a better trade-off between different natural systems and resources. This chapter is supported by examples and case studies and success and failure stories.