10.3.5 Conclusions
Agricultural systems that involve green and sustainable development for better
livelihoods are the objective of efforts to convert scientific understanding into
predictive tools, those which allow logical decisions to be made in terms of better
managing the limited resources available to ASEAN members. In this section, we
have provided a framework for the use of CropDSS, using input data, simulation
processes and outputs in order to support decision-making processes on a number of
levels. CropDSS is an innovative and practical tool that simulates crop yields under
various management scenarios by integrating CSM-DSSAT models with GIS
databases. However, implementation of the tool requires some effort to overcome
certain challenges, such as the need to establish a minimum number of data sets, as
well as train local staff.
10.4 Case Study 3: Building on Qualitative Datasets to Simulate
Land Use Change in Mountainous North-Western Vietnam
10.4.1 Introduction
Land use models are useful tools for assessing feedback mechanisms and causal
relationships at the human-environment interface, following the premise that
landscapes are social-ecological systems for which the scientific-technical
perspectives provided by a model can support policy activities (Argent 2003).
4 In
contrast, participatory approaches are a methodological pathway aimed at reducing
the epistemic uncertainty involved in environmental problems, and commonly
result in qualitative outputs (Neef et al. 2006; Pahl-Wostl 2007). Despite the
reported potential of integrating both tools into a single research approach, only a
small number of studies have been carried out in the mountainous areas of Southeast Asia, such as by Becu et al. (2008). Consequently, this study draws on an
integrated approach, combining participatory assessment tools and a land use
change model in an iterative process aimed at unravelling the linkage between
soil fertility degradation and land use change in the case study area of Chieng Khoi
Commune, north-west Vietnam. It was hypothesized that (1) qualitative information derived from a participative environmental assessment approach could serve as
an input to parameterize the soil fertility module of the Forest, Agroforest, Lowvalue Landscape Or Wasteland? (FALLOW) model (van Noordwijk 2002), and (2)
the combination of local knowledge and model simulations would generate new
insights into the local complexity of land use change.
4 This section was written by Melvin Lippe.
390
C. Marohn et al.
Agricultural systems that involve green and sustainable development for better
livelihoods are the objective of efforts to convert scientific understanding into
predictive tools, those which allow logical decisions to be made in terms of better
managing the limited resources available to ASEAN members. In this section, we
have provided a framework for the use of CropDSS, using input data, simulation
processes and outputs in order to support decision-making processes on a number of
levels. CropDSS is an innovative and practical tool that simulates crop yields under
various management scenarios by integrating CSM-DSSAT models with GIS
databases. However, implementation of the tool requires some effort to overcome
certain challenges, such as the need to establish a minimum number of data sets, as
well as train local staff.
10.4 Case Study 3: Building on Qualitative Datasets to Simulate
Land Use Change in Mountainous North-Western Vietnam
10.4.1 Introduction
Land use models are useful tools for assessing feedback mechanisms and causal
relationships at the human-environment interface, following the premise that
landscapes are social-ecological systems for which the scientific-technical
perspectives provided by a model can support policy activities (Argent 2003).
4 In
contrast, participatory approaches are a methodological pathway aimed at reducing
the epistemic uncertainty involved in environmental problems, and commonly
result in qualitative outputs (Neef et al. 2006; Pahl-Wostl 2007). Despite the
reported potential of integrating both tools into a single research approach, only a
small number of studies have been carried out in the mountainous areas of Southeast Asia, such as by Becu et al. (2008). Consequently, this study draws on an
integrated approach, combining participatory assessment tools and a land use
change model in an iterative process aimed at unravelling the linkage between
soil fertility degradation and land use change in the case study area of Chieng Khoi
Commune, north-west Vietnam. It was hypothesized that (1) qualitative information derived from a participative environmental assessment approach could serve as
an input to parameterize the soil fertility module of the Forest, Agroforest, Lowvalue Landscape Or Wasteland? (FALLOW) model (van Noordwijk 2002), and (2)
the combination of local knowledge and model simulations would generate new
insights into the local complexity of land use change.
4 This section was written by Melvin Lippe.
390
C. Marohn et al.