The Implications of Spatial and Temporal Scale on the Supply, Distribution and Value of Ecosystem Services in Guyana
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The implications of spatial and temporal scale on the supply, distribution and value of ecosystem services in Guyana Lisa Ingwall King Department of Geography Royal Holloway University of London Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of PhD, University of London, 2013 Declaration of Authorship I, Lisa Ingwall King hereby declare that this thesis and the work presented in it is entirely my own. Where I have consulted the work of others, this is always clearly stated. Signed: … …………………………….. Date: …9 June 2014…………………………........ 2 Abstract Engagement with the complexities of scale when using the ecosystem services (ES) concept in natural resource management has been increasingly regarded by many scholars as a necessity for a successful outcome, and thus in need of greater attention. This thesis explores and reveals some of these scale complexities using a case study approach of the North Rupununi in Guyana. Working with the local indigenous Makushi group, the thesis focuses on how spatial and temporal scale affects the supply, distribution and value of ES to the local communities and stakeholders at the national and international scale. A mixed method approach (including focus groups, in-depth/informal interviews, participatory mapping, hydro-ecological surveys and water quality sampling) was employed to allow for both qualitative and quantitative data to be collected and analysed. The approach revealed both the constraints of the ES concept when applied with indigenous communities and the additional understanding a more qualitative approach can contribute. The findings reveal the spatial and temporal patterns of the supply and demand of crucial ES (fish and freshwater) for the communities in the North Rupununi. Key connectivity sites in the landscape were also identified, with the link between the Amazon and Essequibo watersheds being the most important. This key site is mapped for the first time. Investigation into temporal scales revealed how the fishing pattern changes with the season both in terms of location, but also related to fish quantity and quality to some extent. Long-term trends for both the water and fish were exposed, and a decline in the fish populations could be confirmed, particularly for the popular fish species. These research findings have provided new insights into the spatial and temporal complexity of key ES for Guyana, which will be crucial to secure their healthy state and continued supply for the future. 3 Contents Title page ................................................................................................................ 1 Declaration of authorship ........................................................................................ 2 Abstract... ................................................................................................................ 3 Contents .................................................................................................................. 4 List of figures .......................................................................................................... 9 List of tables .............................................................................. .......................... 11 List of plates ......................................................................................................... 13 List of maps .......................................................................................................... 14 Abbreviations and acronyms ................................................................................ 15 Acknowledgement ................................................................................................ 17 Chapter 1 Introduction 19 1.1 The science of ecosystem services concept ........................................................ 21 1.1.1 Ecosystem services’ interconnectedness and the implications of spatial and temporal scale ............................................................................................. 21 1.1.2 Spatial pattern and mapping of ecosystem services ................................... 22 1.1.3 Valuation and perspectives of ecosystem services ..................................... 23 1.2 The research location .......................................................................................... 24 1.3 Research aims and questions ............................................................................. 26 1.4 The importance of freshwater ecosystem services ........................................... 27 1.5 Local and regional relevance of the research ................................................... 28 1.6 Outline of thesis ................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 2 Ecosystem services and natural resource management: issues with scale, valuation and assessments 30 2.1 Natural resource management in developing countries .................................. 30 2.2 What is needed to make community-based management more successful? .. 33 4 2.3 The ecosystem services approach ...................................................................... 34 2.4 Implication of spatial and temporal scale for ecosystem services .................. 38 2.4.1 Human geography views on scale .............................................................. 38 2.4.2 An overview of ecosystem services and scale ............................................ 41 2.4.3 Trade-offs between ecosystem services...................................................... 42 2.4.4 Scale-related complexities in natural resource management ...................... 43 2.5 Ecology of ecosystem services: scale, meta-ecosystems and source- sink concept ................................................................................................................. 46 2.6 Valuation and perspectives of ecosystem services ............................................ 48 2.6.1 Different valuation methods for ecosystem services .................................. 49 2.6.2 Criticism of the conventional valuation methods ....................................... 52 2.7 Traditional ecological knowledge and ecosystem services .............................. 54 2.8 Ecosystem services assessments of tropical rivers, fish and wetlands ............ 55 2.8.1 Small-scale fisheries: an important ecosystem service in developing countries ..................................................................................................... 57 2.9 Conclusions ......................................................................................................... 57 Chapter 3 Methodology 60 3.1 Ethics and positionality of this study ................................................................ 60 3.1.1 Assigning the local research assistants and guides ..................................... 64 3.1.2 My positionality .......................................................................................... 65 3.2 Description of research site ................................................................................ 67 3.2.1 The North Rupununi ................................................................................... 67 3.2.2 The people .................................................................................................. 76 3.2.3 Research communities: multiple locations ................................................. 78 3.3 Research design ................................................................................................... 82 3.3.1 Social and biophysical methods ................................................................. 83 3.4 Research analyses ............................................................................................... 97 3.4.1 Analyses of the social data ......................................................................... 97 3.4.2 Analyses of the physical data ..................................................................... 97 5 3.5 Limitations ........................................................................................................... 99 3.6 Dissemination of research findings.................................................................. 102 3. 7 Conclusions ........................................................................................................ 102 Chapter 4 Stakeholders’ perceptions of ecosystem services: implications of scale and the use of the ecosystem services concept 104 4.1 Identification of ecosystem services ................................................................. 105 4.2 Stakeholders’ perceptions of ecosystem services at different spatial scales108 4.2.1 Local scale perception and value of ecosystem services ......................... 108 4.2.2 National and international stakeholders’ perception of ecosystem services in the North Rupununi .............................................................................. 111 4.3 Reasons behind stakeholder valuation of ecosystem services ....................... 113 4.3.1 Influence of spatial scale .......................................................................... 114 4.3.2 Basic needs and cultural values ................................................................ 115 4.3.3 Education level and conservation training ................................................ 117 4.3.4 Income and funding .................................................................................. 120 4.4 Understanding or mis-understanding of scale ..............................................