Integrating Participatory Methods and Remote Sensing to Enhance Understanding of Ecosystem Service Dynamics Across Scales

A novel approach combining participatory mapping with remote sensing reveals the significant decline of ecosystem services (ES) in the Lower Omo Valley, Ethiopia, following regional environmental changes such as the construction of the Gibe III dam. The study highlights the collapse of flood-retreat cultivation and substantial reductions in shrubland and wetland areas, both critical for local communities. By integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with satellite imagery, researchers demonstrate how this mixed-methods approach can provide locally relevant insights into ES dynamics. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating TEK to improve resource management strategies, offering a scalable model for other regions.

Hodbod, J., Tebbs, E., Chan, K., & Sharma, S. (2019). Integrating Participatory Methods and Remote Sensing to Enhance Understanding of Ecosystem Service Dynamics Across Scales. Land, 8(9), 132. https://doi.org/10.3390/land8090132