Sustainability, scale relations and structure-function-benefit chains in the landscape systems of the Tanzanian Southern Highlands (SUSLAND)
Project description
The research project studied realization of landscape services at village scale across three multifunctional rural landscapes in Tanzania through participatory mapping approach. Mapping surveys using printout satellite image of each village were conducted with 313 informants in the three study villages situated in the Southern Highlands region of Tanzania. The surveys focused on participatory mapping of provisioning and cultural landscape services and their spatial patterns in the landscape. The survey results were later shared with the communities (n = 97) in workshops where services were ranked and discussions held about their accessibility.
The study shows that participatory mapping of landscape services has the potential to advance understanding of the benefits that landscapes have for local communities especially in the Global South where local level spatial data on landscape services, land use and natural resources is scarce. This spatially explicit information is important for spatial planning purposes enabling planning to better account for and secure access to landscape services for local communities.
Research themes
Ecosystem management
Integrated landscape management
Project details
Project contact
Nora Fagerholm
Team members
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Niina Käyhkö (project PI), University of Turku
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Vesa Arki, University of Turku
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Salla Eilola, University of Turku
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Joni Koskikala, University of Turku