Understanding social-ecological transformations: the role of initiatives’ values, rules and knowledge

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Berta Martín López
• Subject Area: Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Policy, Agricultural Sociology ; Ecology and Biodiversity of Animals and Ecosystems, Organismic Interactions
• Term: since 2020
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 428658210

Drawing on the knowledge gained in Kili-SES-1 on the Nature’s Contributions to People (NCP) and values of nature, SP3 in Kili-SES2 expands its focus to gain in-depth knowledge of the sustainable transformative potential of Kilimanjaro social-ecological system (SES). Through the application of a mixed-method approach, in Kili-SES-1 we (1) revealed associations between NCP demand and values of nature according to different stakeholders’ profiles, (2) uncovered the social, cultural, and geographical factors underpinning NCP demand and values within the stakeholder groups, and (3) found that villagers have rather dystopic views on the state of nature. To counteract these dystopic narratives and to instead foster a more sustainable and just world, in Kili-SES-2, we aim to gain a deep understanding of the transformative potential existing in the Kilimanjaro SES. To do so, we draw on our research as part of Kili-SES-1 and three existing sustainability transformation frameworks: (1) sustainability initiatives understood as ‘Seeds of Good Anthropocenes’, (2) values-rules-knowledge, and (3) Leverage Points. Specifically, SP3 aims (1) to identify clusters of social-ecological transformations based on the decision-making patterns of the ‘Seeds’ as defined by their values, rules, and knowledge (WP1), (2) to characterize the resulting clusters based on their transformative outcomes (WP2), and (3) to explore the potential to leverage transformations within and beyond the Kilimanjaro SES by understanding their social networks (WP3). In WP1, we seek to identify ‘Seeds of Good Anthropocenes’ in the Kilimanjaro SES and cluster them based on their values, rules, and knowledge. In WP2, we aim to assess the ‘Seeds’ transformative potential, defined as the capacity to radically shift problematic social-ecological dynamics and to produce positive impacts towards social-ecological integrity and equity. For both, WP1 and WP2, we will conduct semi-structured interviews with the ‘Seeds’ key informants and analyze them through content analysis as well as subsequent multivariate statistics methods. In WP3, by applying Social Network Analysis, we aim to assess whether the position of a ‘Seed’ varies between different networks based on distinct relations that foster transformation. Our research will contribute to advancing the knowledge gained in Kili-SES by putting into practice the Kili-SES-1-based and Kili-SES-2 expanded framework and by engaging with systems and transformational knowledge. SP3 will add value to the whole Research Unit by advancing the knowledge on the conceptualizations of sustainable transformations and transformative potential and by providing methodological tools to comprehensively and systematically identify and characterize transformations.

• DFG Programme: Research Units
• Subproject of: FOR 5064: The role of nature for human well-being in the Kilimanjaro Social-Ecological System (Kili-SES)
• International Connection: Tanzania, USA
• Cooperation Partners: Dr. Mathew Bukhi Mabele; Dr. Victoria Junquera; Dr. Jennifer Kasanda Sesabo
• Co-Investigator: Dr. Susann Adloff