Contemporary practices in resource management EIA, GIS.pdf
1. CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES IN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT:
EIA, GIS, PARTICIPATORY RESOURCE APPRAISAL
Dr. Nandadulal Sannigrahi,
Associate Professor,
Department of Botany,
Nistarini College, Purulia,
D.B. Road, Purulia (W.B) 723101
INDIA
2. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
Resource management, particularly in the context of biodiversity, focuses
on sustainably using and conserving natural resources like land, water, and
biodiversity to support human well-being and ensure the long-term health
of ecosystems.
It involves understanding and addressing the direct and indirect drivers of
biodiversity loss, such as habitat destruction, over-extraction, pollution, and
climate change.
Effective resource management can reverse biodiversity decline, enhance
human health and well-being, and create green jobs.
Resource management is also the subject that deals with the emerging
consequences depending upon the uses of natural resources for the wheels
of progress,
The management practices need the involvement of the different issues to
address the time for the quest of sustainability in this regard.
Thus, it is very important for the economic uses of the resources on the
retrospect of sustainability.
3. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The resource management envisages the idea of the economic uses of
biological resources keeping in mind the quest of sustainability. This only can
be considered by understanding the following issues:
Sustainable Use:
Resource management aims to use natural resources in a way that meets current
needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own
needs. This includes ensuring that resources are not over-exploited and that
ecosystems can continue to provide their services.
Biodiversity Conservation:
Protecting and managing biodiversity is crucial for the health of ecosystems
and the well-being of people. This involves conserving habitats, protecting
endangered species, and managing human activities in a way that minimizes
impacts on biodiversity.
Integrated Approaches:
Effective resource management often requires integrated approaches that
consider the interconnectedness of different resources and ecosystems. This can
involve spatial planning, nature-based solutions, and circular economy models.
4. CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES
Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholders are the main target groups in the
issues. It's essential to involve stakeholders, including local communities,
businesses, and government agencies, in the planning and implementation
of resource management strategies.
Global Efforts:
Resource management can not be done alone by individual efforts.
Countries with high resource footprints are encouraged to invest in global
natural resource management as an effective strategy to reduce their
indirect pressure on biodiversity and ensure an environmentally sustainable
future.
Addressing Root Causes: The root causes of biodiversity to be addressed
judiciously. To halt and reverse biodiversity loss, it is crucial to address the
root drivers of biodiversity loss, including habitat destruction, over-
extraction, pollution, and climate change.
Benefits of Sustainable Management:
Sustainable management is the call of the time.
Implementing sustainable resource management principles can lead to a
range of benefits, including improved ecosystem health, enhanced human
well-being, and economic opportunities.
5. CONTEMPORARY PRACTICES IN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
Contemporary resource management in biodiversity focuses on a holistic
approach, integrating ecological, social, and economic considerations to ensure
sustainable use and conservation of natural resources.
This involves leveraging local knowledge including ITK, promoting
community participation, and utilizing technological advancements for
monitoring and management of biodiversity resources judiciously.
Furthermore, it emphasizes the importance of ecosystem services and the need
to protect biodiversity for future generations as a part of the game changer in
the quest of sustainability.
The resource management is an art and science that comprises a number of
issues and the issues have been changed corresponding to the socio-economical
changes. This can be addressed under the following headings to explore the
issues:
i. Integrated Approaches-
ii. Community Engagement and Participation-
iii. Technological Advancements-
iv. Policy and Legal Frameworks-
v. Addressing Climate Change-
6. ECOSYSTEM-BASED MANAGEMENT:
All the organisms in a given area interact with the physical environment so
that energy flow leads to a clarity defined trophic structure , biotic diversity
and material cycle within the system known as ecosystem,
Thus, the ecosystem based management needs the proper understanding of
the different components to explore the management strategies.
This approach considers the interconnectedness of ecosystems and
manages resources within a broader context, rather than focusing on
individual species or resources.
Multi- sectoral Collaboration:
Involves various stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, and
local communities, to ensure a coordinated and effective approach to
resource management.
Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM):
Aims to balance competing demands for water resources in a sustainable
manner, considering both environmental and human needs.
7. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PARTICIPATION:
Different organisms in association with each other. A group of several species
including plants and animals including human beings living together with
mutual tolerance or adjustment along with beneficial interactions in a natural
area known as community,
The community engagement particularly the stakeholders play a significant
role in the management of the particular ecosystem for its holistic appraisal.
The following features to be addressed for the community engagement and
participation for the management strategies.
Local Knowledge Integration:
Recognizing and incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and practices
into conservation strategies.
Community-Based Natural Resource Management:
Empowering local communities to manage resources through self-governance,
participation in decision-making, and capacity building.
Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation:
Involving local communities in monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of
conservation efforts.
8. TECHNOLOGICALADVANCEMENTS
Biodiversity plays key roles in ecosystem functionality which in their part play
key roles in vital biological cycles, such as the carbon cycle (facilitating the
correct atmosphere for us to breathe and storage of carbon as an energy food
source via photosynthesis), the water cycle and the nitrogen cycle. From as far
back as the 80s, research has been evaluating data that suggests that the planet
is undergoing a mass extinction phase, likely due to human impacts.
There is a significant level of development towards utilizing technology to
improve our ability to detect, identify and manage biodiversity levels across
varying taxonomic levels in various habitats
Drones, sensors, camera, low power radio networks, satellite technology , used
of GPS along with AI can strengthen the study and research of ecosystem
management.
Remote Sensing and GIS:
Utilizing satellite imagery and geographic information systems for mapping,
monitoring, and managing biodiversity.
Big Data and Data Analytics:
Analyzing large datasets to identify trends, predict impacts, and inform
conservation actions.
Mobile Technologies:
Employing mobile apps and platforms for data collection, monitoring, and
communication.
9. POLICY AND LEGAL FRAMEWORKS:
Besides the aforesaid tools and techniques, the ethics and legal jurisdiction are
essentially solicited in the domain of the ecosystem management to ensure
sustainability.
The rights of the indigenous stakeholders are also very important in this regard.
The different laws in concurrence to environmental policies both international
and national levels are also to be solicited.
Some of the features can be stated below.
Protected Area Management:
Establishing and managing protected areas, such as national parks and wildlife
reserves, to conserve biodiversity.
Legal Protection of Indigenous Rights:
Ensuring that Indigenous communities have the right to manage their resources
and participate in conservation efforts. The stakeholders are the right persons
who can monitor it effectively.
Sustainable Use Regulations:
Sustainability is the call of the time in the retrospect of policy and regulations
formations,
Implementing regulations to prevent overexploitation of resources and promote
sustainable use practices.
10. ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AND VALUATION:
Ecosystem provides a number of services and its valuation is essentially
desired for the sake of the management in this regard.
The ecosystem services may be tangible or intangible in nature,
The services comprises of provisioning, regulating, cultural and supporting
in nature,
Understanding the value of the ecosystems services can strengthen the
urges for the sake of the management holistically.
Recognizing the Value of Ecosystem Services:
Understanding the importance of biodiversity in providing essential
services, such as pollination, water purification, and climate regulation.
Economic Valuation of Biodiversity:
Using economic tools to assess the value of biodiversity and promote
conservation investments.
Payment for Ecosystem Services (PES):
Implementing mechanisms that incentivize landowners to provide
ecosystem services
11. ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE:
Climate change is a major driver of biodiversity erosion, and loss of
biodiversity also accelerates climate change processes, as the capacity of
degraded ecosystems to assimilate and store CO2 tends to decrease.
Humanity therefore has a global responsibility to address these two
challenges and the interactions between them.
Biodiversity is the strongest natural defence against climate change.
Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather
patterns. Such shifts can be natural, due to changes in the sun’s activity or
large volcanic eruption
Adaptation and Mitigation Strategies:
Developing and implementing strategies to address the impacts of climate
change on biodiversity.
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Adopting agricultural practices that reduce
greenhouse gas emissions and enhance resilience to climate change.
Ecological Restoration: Restoring degraded ecosystems to improve their
resilience to climate change and enhance biodiversity.
12. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT( EIA)
Development, agricultural and industrial lies at the hear of a nation.
The costs of development not in terms of money but equally rather more
valuable in terms of its impact on environment.
Development and environment are inseparably linked to each other.
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is crucial for biodiversity
conservation as it helps identify and mitigate potential threats from
development projects. EIAs assess the environmental impacts of a project,
including those on biodiversity, and propose measures to avoid, reduce, or
compensate for these impacts. By integrating ecological principles and best
practices, EIAs can contribute to the protection and restoration of biodiversity.
Identification of Impacts:
EIAs systematically assess the potential effects of a project on the environment,
including biodiversity, by examining the project's design, operation, and
potential impacts on various species and habitats.
Mitigation Measures:
EIAs propose measures to avoid, reduce, or compensate for the identified
impacts on biodiversity. This can include modifications to project design,
implementation of best practices, and the creation of biodiversity offset.
13. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT( EIA)
Monitoring and Evaluation:
EIAs also include a monitoring and evaluation component to track the actual
impacts of a project on biodiversity during and after its implementation. This
allows for adjustments to management plans and the ongoing improvement of
project designs to minimize negative impacts on biodiversity.
Importance for Sustainable Development:
By integrating environmental factors, including biodiversity, into project
planning and decision-making, EIAs contribute to sustainable development.
They help ensure that projects are designed and operated in a way that
minimizes environmental damage and protects biodiversity.
Integration of Local Knowledge:
EIAs can also incorporate local knowledge and traditional ecological
knowledge to better understand and address the specific biodiversity context of
a project
It is desirable to have an idea of possible impacts of any developmental plan it
is going to have on our environment. Adequate legislation could be brought
into force to make proper assessment of all such environmental projects.
14. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT( EIA)
In order to ascertain the impact of various developmental projects both on
the society as well as land, water, flora and fauna etc. the development
projects are to be prepared on the basis of the following issues
considerations:
i. Effect of land including land degradation and subsistence,
ii. Deforestation and complementary afforestation,
iii. Air and water pollution including ground water pollution,
iv. Noise pollution and vibrations,
v. Flora and fauna loss of biological diversity,
vi. Socio-economic impact including human displacement , cultural and
health aspects
vii. Risk analysis and disaster management,
viii. Recycling and the reduction of water,
ix. Efficient use of inputs.
15. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a computer-based tool used for
capturing, storing, analyzing, and displaying geographically referenced data. It
allows users to create maps and visualizations, analyze spatial relationships,
and make informed decisions based on geographic data.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) plays a crucial role in biodiversity
studies and conservation by providing tools for mapping, monitoring, and
analyzing biodiversity data. It helps in understanding species distributions,
habitat suitability, and the impact of human activities on ecosystems.
The following features can be address using GPS in biodiversity management.
MONITORING AND MAPPING:
Species Distribution:
GIS can be used to map and monitor the distribution of species over time,
allowing researchers to track changes in populations and habitats.
Habitat Mapping:
GIS helps in identifying and mapping different habitats, including their spatial
extent, quality, and connectivity, which is essential for understanding species'
ecological needs.
Deforestation and Land Use Change:
GIS can monitor deforestation rates and land use changes, which can
significantly impact biodiversity. The GPS can enables to understand the
degree of land area changes through the passage of time with respect to
different other parameters.
16. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
2. SPATIAL ANALYSIS AND MODELING:
Spatial analysis and modeling involve using location data (geospatial data) to
understand patterns, relationships, and processes across geographical areas. It's
about creating simplified representations of reality (models) and analyzing
them to gain insights and make informed decisions, especially in fields like
Earth and Planetary Sciences.
It involves the following parameters for ecosystem management using this
most sophisticated technology of modern science.
Species Distribution Modeling (SDM):
SDM uses GIS to predict the potential distribution of species based on
environmental variables and other data, helping to identify areas where species
may be at risk.
Habitat Suitability Modeling (HSM):
GIS can be used to assess the suitability of different habitats for specific
species, informing conservation planning and management.
Ecological Niche Modeling (ENM):
ENM helps in understanding the ecological requirements of species and
predicting their potential ranges based on climate and habitat factors.
17. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
3. BIODIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AND CONSERVATION:
A biodiversity assessment evaluates the variety and abundance of species
within a specific ecosystem, helping to understand and manage biodiversity. It
involves collecting and analyzing data on species composition, distribution,
and ecosystem function, which informs decision-making for conservation and
sustainable resource management.
The assessment is the pre- requisite for the conservation strategies to be
adopted in this regard.
Threat Assessment:
GIS can be used to assess threats to biodiversity, such as habitat loss, climate
change, and pollution, helping to prioritize conservation efforts.
Conservation Planning:
GIS provides the necessary spatial information for developing and
implementing conservation plans, including protected area design and
management strategies.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
GIS facilitates the monitoring and evaluation of conservation projects, helping
to track progress and identify areas for improvement.
18. GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEM (GIS)
4. INTEGRATION OF DATA:
GIS allows for the integration of various data layers, such as species
distribution data, habitat maps, land use data, and climate data, providing a
comprehensive view of ecosystems.
This integration enables researchers and managers to make informed decisions
about conservation and management
5. APPLICATIONS IN DIFFERENT FIELDS:
Wildlife Management:
GIS is used in wildlife management for tasks like habitat mapping, tracking
wildlife movement, and assessing the impact of human activities on
populations.
Forest Management: Forest is one of the most renewable resources with high
impact.GIS aids in forest management by monitoring forest health, assessing
deforestation, and supporting sustainable forest practices.
Coastal Management:
GIS is used in coastal management to monitor coastal habitats, assess erosion
rates, and manage human impacts on coastal ecosystem that provides a wide
ecological output.
19. PARTICIPATORY RESOURCE APPRAISAL
Participatory Resource Appraisal (PRA) in the context of biodiversity involves
engaging local communities in the process of assessing, understanding, and
managing their natural resources, including biodiversity. This approach
emphasizes empowering local people to analyze their own situations, problems,
and potentials, particularly in relation to the environment and their livelihoods ,
PRA is Used in Biodiversity is used in this appraisal to explore the following
attributes for the holistic participation of the direct and indirect stakeholders.
Local Knowledge:
PRA recognizes that local communities possess valuable knowledge about their
environment and resources, which can be crucial for effective biodiversity
management.
Empowerment:
By involving local people in the assessment process, PRA promotes a sense of
ownership and responsibility for biodiversity conservation.
Community-Based Solutions:
PRA helps identify locally relevant issues and potential solutions, leading to
more sustainable and community-based approaches to biodiversity
management.
20. PARTICIPATORY RESOURCE APPRAISAL
PRA is Applied in biodiversity assessment by using the following tools and
techniques in this regard.
Resource Mapping:
Resource mapping can offer the real images of the domain.
PRA techniques like resource mapping can help communities visualize and
understand their local ecosystems, identify biodiversity hotspots, and document
changes over time.
Social Mapping:
Social maps can reveal how different community members view and utilize
resources, helping to understand potential conflicts and identify opportunities
for collaborative management.
Community Discussions and Brainstorming:
PRA sessions can facilitate open discussions about biodiversity threats, values,
and potential solutions, fostering a shared understanding among community
members.
Ranking and Prioritization:
Prioritization indicates the choice and ranking gives the real picture of the
area.PRA tools like ranking and prioritization exercises can help communities
identify the most important biodiversity resources and actions to be taken.
21. PARTICIPATORY RESOURCE APPRAISAL
Participatory Monitoring:
Once assessments are complete, PRA can be used to involve communities in monitoring
biodiversity changes and evaluating the effectiveness of conservation efforts.
BENEFITS OF USING PRA IN BIODIVERSITY:
Increased Awareness:
PRA can raise awareness about the importance of biodiversity and the threats it
faces. The awareness can strengthen the relationship between the stakeholders and the
biodiversity of the areas.
Improved Communication:
Improved communication can strengthen the mindfulness of the stakeholders about
nature and diversity.PRA facilitates communication between local communities and
external stakeholders, fostering collaboration and trust.
Sustainable Solutions:
Sustainability ensures renewable and long term benefits of biodiversity. By
incorporating local knowledge and preferences, PRA helps develop sustainable solutions
that are more likely to be successful in the long run.
Strengthened Local Capacity:
PRA empowers local community and the involvement of the local stakeholders can
enable to strengthen the process of appraisal. The local people and their participation can
narrow the gap between hopes and despair in this game.
22. SUMMARY
Biodiversity is one of the most important natural resources and it is also
renewable subject to the consideration of economic uses,
The world biodiversity is now at a stake due to injudicious use of this
intangible natural resources due to urbanization, industrialization in the
name of globalization and market economy,
The ruthless use of the natural resources develop the million dollar
question of sustainability,
The environmental management is the call of the time,
Community engagement participation, ecosystem based management,
participatory resources appraisal , use of advanced technologies, are some
of the issues need to be prioritized,
The modern technology uses like GIS, drones, satellite based interpretation
garnished with AI and ML can solidify these endeavors,
The stakeholders and their indigenous knowledge in this regard is highly
solicited to make it holistic.
23. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISIT
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
Google for designing and developing the contents,
Different on-line materials to enrich it,
https://sdgs.un.org/goals
World Economic Forum
ScienceDirect.com
Wiley online library,
USGS.gov
Research gate
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DISCLAIMER:
This PPT has been developed to enrich the online course contents to address the
academic fraternity and students without any kind of financial interest. The author
does not claim any cash or kind from this resource.