Synthesis – Communicating Ecosystem Services Information

Synthesis ensures that the outputs of your ecosystem services analysis directly inform on-the-ground planning and policies. Here we illustrate how different scenarios of human uses in the coastal zone affect livelihoods and the benefit that people derive from nature. This includes identifying where particular ecosystem service incentives and government policies could be implemented to support a sustainable plan for the future. The goal is to maximize economic opportunities and minimize environmental degradation. The Belize Coastal Zone Management Authority & Institute used a variety of mediums to communicate results, including reports, executive summaries, peer-reviewed papers, presentations and interactive maps all tailored to intended audiences.

  • Obtaining and appropriately using data to complement results generated from scenarios assessment is critical.
  • The selection and quantification of metrics that resonate with decision makers can be the most difficult step.
  • Synthesis is most successful when it translates information about ecosystem service outcomes into helpful, specific recommendations for management and policies through clear conclusions and captivating stories.
Documentation and dissemination of results
Subnational
National
Belize moves to finalize Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan
Map portal for Belize's Integrated Coastal Zone Management Plan
Regional knowledge transfer
The catalog fills an important information gap in coastal development to reduce impacts from climate change and extreme weather events. After the core team completed the catalog, they expanded and engaged new partners. The catalog and the process was presented in a variety of settings and sectors such as urban development seminars and congresses, the national Chamber of Construction, architects and engineers’ associations and at risk-reduction meetings. As a result, there are many more actors interested in learning about the practices, as well as with the knowledge and tools needed to implement them. Other vulnerable coastal states and countries are interested in the approach. The core partnership is planning training sessions in the state where they are located, and training will soon be conducted in other cities in México to further disseminate the practices.
Partners have a good standing and enjoy recognition with other relevant organizations, which eases the acceptance of both catalog and approach.
It is important to identify what stakeholders’ need, and it is critical to develop a concise product to fill that need.
Documentation and dissemination of results
Subnational
Local Site Implementing Teams
Jason Houston/Rare
Campaign Manager leads a community discussion
Jason Houston/Rare

The community engagement and behavior adoption campaigns were co-developed and implemented by teams based in the communities.  They were usually composed of staff from the local government unit and local community leaders, like fisher leaders or organizers.  They were the ones that received the training and provided with the tools and resources.  They adapted the strategies to suit their own context, came up with execution ideas, and rolled out the activities.

Official designation by the local chief executive (mayor) • Representation from stakeholders other than the local government • Credibility and standing in the community

Best to have a team of at least three, so that the work does not become overwhelming, and so diverse talents and interests are available to the team.   The ideal mix has someone who is well-embedded in government, who can secure approvals and budgets, someone who is creative and able to use basic tools for design, and someone who is well-accepted by the community who knows how to engage and facilitate.  They should all know how to mobilize volunteers, and have some basic skills in project management.

Inception phase
Implementation
Monitoring
Documentation and dissemination of results
Local
Promotion of Best Management Practices

Members of the Farmer Interest Groups are trained how to implement the Best Management Practices by the extension center. The training is partly theoretical and partly practical, and farmers involved in the development phase open their farm to Farmer Interest Group members so they gather first-hand experience. The extension center promotes Best Management Practices by disseminating information further through the extension officer’s daily advisory service. At the same time experiences and lessons learnt are fed back to the extension center to improve the Best Management Practices.

  • Best Management Practices ready for dissemination
  • Existing Farmer Interest Groups to receive and disseminate the information

Involving farmers who had already implemented the Best Management Practices and including practical experiences at farms increased the participation and information uptake on the trainees` side. The Best Management Practices were not written up by an external expert, but are based on experiences and trials at local farms. This increased the acceptance and willingness of farmers to implement the recommendations.

Documentation and dissemination of results
Local
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