Integrating Community and Scientific Sustainability Indicators to Facilitate Participatory Desertification Monitoring and Sustainable Rangeland Management in Botswana School of the Environment Mark Reed & Andy Dougill School of the Environment Global Applications Research is ongoing to develop a global land degradation monitoring system, based on this approach. Existing assessments of global land degradation have been based on single or few indicators (e.g. the Global Assessment of Soil Degradation (UNEP, 1997)). Such assessments represent snapshots in time and are not relevant to land user needs and objectives. By integrating data from community monitoring, ecological and soil-based monitoring and satellite data, it is possible to assess the extent and severity of degradation at a national scale. In this way the outputs from monitoring are relevant for both policy makers and land users, and can lead to more sustainable land management to combat desertification at a grass-roots level. References Reed MS & Dougill AJ Participatory selection process for indicators of rangeland condition in the Kalahari. The Geographical Journal 168: UNEP (1997). World Atlas of Desertification. Arnold Publishers Ltd., London. Acknowledgements This research is funded by United Nations Development Program/Global Environment Facility, Royal Society, Royal Scottish Geographical Society, Explorer’s Club, Government of Botswana Ministry of Agriculture and the University of Leeds. Introduction The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification emphasises the importance of action by local communities, through the development of "integrated sets of physical, biological, social and economic indicators" which are “pertinent, quantifiable and readily verifiable” (UNCCD, 1994, Article 8 (d)). Sustainability indicators are key tools for community-based desertification monitoring as they can be used by non- specialists to capture complex information easily and rapidly. However, the identification, selection and participatory use of appropriate indicators remains a key research priority with many practical difficulties. Participatory Indicator Development Most existing sustainability indicators are developed at scales that are not relevant for land management, and are too technical for most land users to apply. If communities are involved in the identification and selection of sustainability indicators, it is possible to ensure that they can be easily applied by land users at a farm scale (Reed and Dougill, 2002). Empirical testing of indicators can ensure the accuracy and reliability of indicators. Land users can apply sustainability indicators to identify land where degradation has occurred or is likely to occur. By linking indicators to management options, it is possible for desertification monitoring to facilitate grass-roots action to prevent, reduce or reverse land degradation. Benefits of the Approach Experience with Participatory Indicator Development in Kgalagadi District, Botswana, has shown a number of benefits: The indicators can be easily used by land managers themselves There is significant overlap between indicators cited by the community and the literature, and over 90% of those tested have an empirical basis The range of indicators elicited using this research framework was far broader than published indicator lists for semi-arid environments, with less emphasis on soils Generation of indicators not found in the literature Rejection of irrelevant indicators and prioritization of most relevant indicators Communities often provide more meaningful interpretations of existing indicators, with non-technical means of measuring complex variables. Although more qualitative, pastoralist experience shows information from such surrogates is sufficiently accurate to support management decisions Stakeholder Identification & Livelihoods Analysis with Community Identify Indicators & Management Options with Community Supplement Community Indicators & Management Options from Literature Disseminate and Evaluate Potential Indicators & Management Options with Local Community Scientifically Test Indicator Short-List & Review Management Options Evaluate Test Results with Community. Integrate Indicators with Management Options in Decision Support System Trial Decision Support System with Local Community & Optimise Distribute and Re- Evaluate Periodically. Indicator Identification Primary Indicator Evaluation Secondary Indicator Evaluation Dissemination