Use of visual representation in natural resource management

Abstract

The increasing use of visual representation in natural resource management is signed as a promising tool for enhancing the communication with bidirectional flow of information among stakeholders. Some targets are the transfer o f scientific knowledge to non-scientific groups and the study o f perception that local communities have about their environment. Both of them have critical importance in developing countries. The objective of this thesis was to get further knowledge on some topics and concerns related to the use o f photographic material as surrogates of natural grassland areas among shepherds and extension advisers. The thesis developed studies in two main grassland areas of Peru. The first study was carried out in Azangaro, Puno, in the Peruvian High Plateau. This study explored the reliability and validity o f the use of visual material in performing assessments about common concepts used in grassland management by extension advisers, whose role in the chain o f technology transfer is important in this area. The second area o f study was the SAIS Pachacutec, which involves a significant grassland area in Junin, located in the central mountain region of Peru. Two main research topics were investigated in this area. First, there were comparisons in the use o f different techniques (random and participatory approaches) for visual sampling in rangelands. And second, the use o f photographic material combined with Q methodology was explored for the elicitation of environmental perceptions among shepherds and local administrations. Implications o f results for future use of visual representation in natural resource management are discussed.