[List of Publications]

[Annual Report 97 :
Table of Contents]

Field tests have consistently shown that criteria and indicators for biodiversity and social sustainability are particularly weak. Many of those suggested were either substitutes (surrogates) for more direct measures, or were not very precise. Special attention was given to developing these C&I during 1997.

In the case of biodiversity C&I, a novel approach was followed which looked at the health of the ecological processes that serve to shape and maintain biodiversity rather than inventorying species.

Most reliable methods of assessing social C&I are too time consuming; and the quick ones were too ‘dirty’. CIFOR concluded that a focused effort was needed to develop and test relevant social science methods which would be simple, quick and reliable. Testing methods centred on locations about which a great deal was known (by CIFOR or its collaborators) so that the proposed methods could be evaluated in the context of fuller knowledge from long-term research. Cameroon and East Kalimantan were selected as initial sites.

Three topics were identified as priorities: definition of relevant stakeholders in forest management; intergenerational access to resources; and participation in forest management. The focus here was to develop methods that would allow criteria on intergenerational access to resources and participation/co-management to be meaningfully adapted to local site conditions. This research also contributes to improving the overall ‘generic template’. A ‘social sustainability assessment kit’ is planned to provide an improved selection of indicators and more precise verifiers for social issues.

The development of the ‘kit’ has involved tests of 12 social science methods in Cameroon and Indonesia. In 1998, a test in Brazil is planned to further revise the ‘kit’. At present, the question of suitable C&I for assessing economic impacts of forest management is under discussion with a workshop planned in early 1998.