- Title
- An evaluation of the potential for implementing adaptive co-management in the Waodani social-ecological system in the Ecuadorian Amazon
- Creator
- Bryja, Malgorzata Anna
- Subject
- Adaptive natural resource management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Natural resources -- Co-management -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Social ecology -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Sustainable development -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Resource-based communities -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni
- Subject
- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni (Ecuador) -- Economic conditions
- Subject
- Huao Indians -- Ecuador -- Reserva de Biosfera Yasuni -- Economic conditions
- Date Issued
- 2015
- Date
- 2015
- Type
- Thesis
- Type
- Doctoral
- Type
- PhD
- Identifier
- vital:4784
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1018192
- Description
- Adaptive co-management (ACM), one of the most prominent management approaches to emerge in the recent years, combines iterative learning, flexibility, and adaptation promoted by adaptive management with the principles of nurturing diversity and fostering collaboration among different partners that underpin co-management philosophy. ACM has been proposed as an approach to address the deficiencies of centralized management in ensuring sustainability of social-ecological systems (SESs) in face of future uncertainties. This thesis aims to evaluate the readiness of resource users (the Waodani) as well as external actors (the Ecuadorian State and NGOs) for future implementation of ACM and thus enhancing the long-term social-ecological sustainability of the Waodani SES located in the Yasuni Biosphere Reserve in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Qualitative data obtained by means of focus groups with the Waodani and individual interviews with external actors and Waodani leaders revealed different levels of readiness for ACM. Firstly, in the case of the Waodani, the insufficient fulfillment of some conditions required for successful ACM as well as intercommunity differences in regards to these conditions can complicate the implementation of ACM, unless sufficient external assistance is offered to the SES. The analysis of NGOs demonstrated, on the other hand, a relative readiness for ACM, providing that such aspects as sufficient funding, long-term commitment to collaboration, and inter-institutional linkages are strengthened. The study also found that the Ecuadorian government’s potential to contribute to ACM is hindered by the lack of readiness to work with the indigenous society as well as by funding and communication challenges. Furthermore, the resource based economy supported by the State limits the scope of innovation and adaptation. Still, as in the case of other actors, overcoming the challenges and transitioning towards adaptive governance and thus ACM could be possible in the long-term, if recent legal and political changes are truly implemented.
- Format
- 287 leaves
- Format
- Publisher
- Rhodes University
- Publisher
- Faculty of Science, Environmental Science
- Language
- English
- Rights
- Bryja, Malgorzata Anna
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