In order to understand farmers’ perceptions of resilience
in socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes
(SEPLS), a participatory field assessment was conducted in
Kenya. A tool developed by the United Nations University-
Institute of Advanced Studies and Bioversity International
was used to elucidate the range of perceptions of risk
faced by five communities living in different agro-ecological
and socio-economic conditions. This paper presents
the practical process of carrying out assessments at the
community level and also lessons learned while testing
the toolkit. The process of using SEPLS indicators was
confirmed valuable in: 1) identifying local perceptions of
threats in landscape resilience, the perception differences
in various community landscapes, major causes of
threats and community efforts toward mitigation, 2)
improving awareness through stimulating discussions
with participants, and 3) providing a perspective on
future directions and encouraging local innovations and
potential interventions in response to negative trends. The
discussions were considered vital in creating social capital
for landscape governance, community ownership of the
process and identifying potential interventions. A few areas
of the tool were found wanting and some amendments
have been advanced for consideration.
Authors and Publishers
Morimoto, Y.
Maundu, P.
Mijatovic, D.
Bergamini, N.
Eyzaguirre, P.
National Museums of Kenya
Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization. We have a vision – that agricultural biodiversity nourishes people and sustains the planet.
We deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural and tree biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security.
We work with partners in low-income countries in different regions where agricultural and tree biodiversity can contribute to improved nutrition, resilience, productivity and climate change adaptation.
United Nations University (UNU-Wider)
The World Institute for Development Economics Research began operations in 1985 in Helsinki, Finland, as the first research centre of the United Nations University.
Today it is a unique blend of think tank, research institute, and UN agency – providing a range of services from policy advice to governments as well as freely available original research coordinated by a core group of resident and non-resident researchers and undertaken by a global network of collaborators.
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CGIAR (CGIAR)
CGIAR is the only worldwide partnership addressing agricultural research for development, whose work contributes to the global effort to tackle poverty, hunger and major nutrition imbalances, and environmental degradation.