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Selection of indicators as a tool for negotiating objectives and evaluating targets within participatory monitoring

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Abstract

Information that is generated through the inclusion of different knowledge sources as a process of intensive negotiation, and mutual learning, is essential for adaptive co-management. To determine if participatory monitoring is fostering social learning and contributing to adaptive co-management, we propose a process of selection and assessment of environmental learning objectives and indicators. We draw from a case study regarding natural resources participatory monitoring in Calakmul, Campeche, Mexico. To guide the selection of indicators of advances in learning, we used the environmental citizenship framework. This framework considers the ecological knowledge and scientific tools acquired through the process, as well as the social, cultural and ethical capacities achieved that are useful for environmental management. The use of this framework helped orient the process towards attributes sought as important for community researchers, as well as to pay attention to the interactions between external actors and community researchers within the collaborative research effort. Most indicators selected corresponded to those related to natural resources management, yet indicators were also selected to measure progress regarding communication abilities among community members, their organization and critical attitudes. Differences in expectations between external actors and community researchers, have to do with distinct needs and realities, as well as with the recent history of the community. The adaptive process resulted in an important tool for helping all participants, manage different visions during the process, as well as obtain consensus on concepts and constantly redefining activities as need in the process.

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Aknowledgements

This paper is part of Emma Villaseñor’s PhD research, which has been supported by the Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología (grant # 344614) the Instituto de Ecología, A.C., and the European Union Seventh Framework Program FP7/2007–2013 under grant agreement 282899. The work is part of the effort made in the communities of Once de Mayo and El Sacrificio, Calakmul, Campeche. The voluntary participation of community researchers who worked in the activities described is acknowledged. The contribution of other members of the COMBIOSERVE consortium in the work is also recognized. The COMBIOSERVE project "Assessing the effectiveness of community-based management strategies for biocultural diversity conservation", has been funded by the European Commission FP7-ENV-2011.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Conservación Biológica y Desarrollo Social, A.C., Real de San Lucas # 82, Col. Barrio de San Lucas, Mexico City, CDMX, Mexico

    Emma Villaseñor

  2. Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Red de Ecología Funcional, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, 91073, Xalapa, VER, Mexico

    Luciana Porter-Bolland

  3. CONACYT, CIIDIR Oaxaca, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Hornos No. 1003, Col. Noche Buena, Municipio de Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, 71230, Santa Cruz Xoxocotlán, OAX, Mexico

    Matthias Rös

  4. Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigación y Desarrollo Alternativo, U Yich Lu’um, AC, Consorcio TICCA, Calle 18 Núm. 50 B entre 13 y 15, Sanahcat, YUC, México

    Albert M. Chan Dzul & Sara Oliveros López

  5. Ejido La Virgencita, Calle sin nombre/sin número, Localidad La Virgencita, Calakmul, CAM, México

    Alberto López Díaz

  6. Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Red de Ecoetología, Carretera antigua a Coatepec 351, El Haya, 91073, Xalapa, VER, Mexico

    Federico Escobar-Sarria

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  1. Emma Villaseñor
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  3. Federico Escobar-Sarria
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Correspondence to Luciana Porter-Bolland.

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Villaseñor, E., Porter-Bolland, L., Escobar-Sarria, F. et al. Selection of indicators as a tool for negotiating objectives and evaluating targets within participatory monitoring. Sustain Sci 15, 1051–1065 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11625-020-00795-w

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