Aims / objectives: This approach strengthens knowledge about the response of biodiversity to environmental changes – namely land conversion, climate change induced impacts and climate-related extreme events, such as droughts and cyclones. Information generated can be used to inform regional authorities. They are then able to adapt management to current conditions, in order to better preserve biodiversity within the National Park. An important component of this approach is the integration of people from the local population as 'para-ecologists' who are trained in survey techniques for biodiversity monitoring. They directly observe changes in biodiversity, and share their knowledge with others in the area. The approach, thus, includes the sensitization of the local population to impacts of environmental change on biodiversity.
Methods: Under this approach, local assistants were trained in biodiversity monitoring techniques by researchers during their regular research activities. Part of the process comprised skills in species identification. Because the researchers had a limited period available for field work, training of these para-ecologists was a pre-requisite for implementation of long-term monitoring activities based on surveying at regular intervals. The surveys initiated by the researchers were plant phenology monitoring, regular capture, marking and recapture of Galidictis grandidieri (the giant striped mongoose) which is a flagship species in the Tsimanampesotse National Park, as well as reptile occurrence monitoring along transects. Monitoring procedures were established, and then continued by para-ecologists under the guidance of a Malagasy researcher who is familiar with ecological field work and acted as a ‘scientific coordinator’. The task of the scientific coordinator was data control and storage, planning of monitoring activities, as well as communication between national authorities, ecologists and para-ecologists. All survey data are available for scientific purposes and can be used to inform Malagasy authorities, or can be directly demanded by Malagasy authorities.
Stages of implementation: A basic research camp for monitoring was established within the Tsimanampesotse National Park in collaboration with Madagascar National Parks and WWF Toliara with third party funding. Four para-ecologists, two cooks and a guard constitute the team. The camp is maintained by a manager who is responsible for maintenance of buildings and electric facilities as well as provision of food. Surveying equipment is stored at the base camp. Computers and other necessary equipment were provided under the SuLaMa project. There are two para-ecologists trained on flora and a further two on fauna. Survey sites for monitoring of animal diversity and plant phenology were established by plant and animal ecologists in cooperation with the para-ecologists. Infrastructure for data acquisition and storage was established. This included the installation of electrical facilities as well as the provisioning of field books and computers. Technicians received language courses and learned computer operation. Regular exchange between the research camp and the national park authority, MNP, was established through a permanently employed scientific coordinator. This exercise resulted in a first workshop on survey techniques, in which staff of Madagascar National Park learned from researchers and para-ecologists.
Role of stakeholders: All survey data are available for scientific purposes and can be used to inform Malagasy authorities, or can be directly demanded from Malagasy authorities.
地点: Beheloke, Atsimo-Andrefana (South-West Madagascar), 马达加斯加岛
启动日期: 2011
终止年份: 2016
方法的类型该方法涉及哪些利益相关者/执行机构? | 指定利益相关者 | 说明利益相关者的角色 |
当地土地使用者/当地社区 | members of local population that gain knowledge on biodiversity | |
研究人员 | Para-ecologists are all men. Camp staff are equally divided between women and men. No woman occupied a top position however. | |
NGO | MNP, WWF | |
国家政府(规划者、决策者) | MEEF | access to monitoring data and knowledge on status of biodiversity conservation effectiveness. |
国际组织 | BMBF |
Key partners for a biodiversity monitoring programme in southwestern
Madagascar. Collaborative research is focussed in and around Tsimanampesotse National Park. Ecologists train para-ecologists and develop long term monitoring programs. Scientific coordinator collects data and communicates results to MNP. Para-ecologists conduct surveys, a camp manager ensures research equipment is available and coordinates maintenance.
决策是由......做出的
决策是基于
Local men who were trained in animal and plant identification and survey techniques. They became specialists in their area of work and due to regular surveys, better understand the effects of environmental changes on plant phenology and the occurrence and behaviour of animals. They share their knowledge in their villages, thus contributing to raising awareness about the environment.
Research was exclusively undertaken within the national park. Extension of research activities into non-protected areas is aspired in collaboration with the local communities.
Research was carried out on station
土地使用者的劳动力为
This approach is to evaluate long-term impacts of land conversions, gradual climate change and climate-related extremes (disasters) on biodiversity. Due to insufficient data because of the short time since implementation, impacts have not yet been assessed.
By providing employment for some local people.
Community-based monitoring is on the rise in Madagascar.