Dhr. Santiago López Ridaura : Multi-Scale Sustainability Evaluation

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16 Sep 2005 16:00
Unit: Wageningen UR
Location: Aula (gebouw 362), Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. H. van Keulen (Plant Production Systems - Soil-Plant-Animal-Relations)
Co Promotor: Dr.ir. M.K. van Ittersum, Dr.ir. P.A. Leffelaar

 In this thesis, the methodological development and application of a framework for multi-scale sustainability evaluation of Natural Resource Management Systems (NRMS) are presented. The framework offers a structured and coherent set of guidelines, developed from an interdisciplinary and systemic perspective, to select, quantify, assess and integrate case-specific indicators derived from short and long term environmental, economic and social concerns (objectives, aspirations) of stakeholders.
The analysis of key issues related to the sustainability of NRMS at different scales in the Cercle de Koutiala in the South of Mali illustrates the application of the framework at farm household, Arrondissement and Cercle scales. For the quantification of indicators, a Multi-scale Multiple Goal Linear Programming (M_MGLP) model has been developed, in which indicators at different scales can be used as objective functions and/or as constraints in scenario formulation and assessment. The M_MGLP model is of an explorative nature, identifying the biophysical opportunities for NRMS and allows explicit quantitative identification of the advantages and disadvantages of alternative NRMS in terms of the values of the indicators selected for sustainability evaluation at each of the scales of analysis. The M_MGLP model can also be used to quantitatively describe the trade-offs among different indicators within and between scales.
In the analysis, indicators retain their explicit meaning, which allows their use in support of a transparent and open dialogue among stakeholders, each from its own perspective and in the light of its own aspirations; which is an indispensable step in the initiation of collaborative efforts in the design and implementation of alternative, more sustainable NRMS at different scales.
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