Catch-Up

Exploring pathways to sustainable development in the uplands of
Lao PDR.

Activity A1: Diagnosis on the processes of land use changes in a representative sample of case study sites in Lao PDR

Rationale Objectives Methods Results Partnerships

Development-oriented research requires developing a good understanding of the study areas and prioritization of development issues prior to introduction of innovations or implementation of policies. Their adaptation to local people's circumstances is a key condition to their adoption and success.

Understand the mechanisms of land use changes over a 50 years period in relation with agro-ecological and socio-economic transformations at carefully selected research sites that are further incorporated into a comparative analysis (Activity A2),

Identify the keys for extrapolation of locally obtained results to larger geographic areas (recommendation domains),

Prioritize promising innovations to durably intensify agriculture and forestry in sloping areas and identify target groups for the proposed technical and/or organizational innovations.

Several research sites were selected to create a sample of case studies representative of the main biophysical and socio-economic characteristics of mountain areas in northern Laos. The following activities have been conducted in each site.

1. Participatory analysis of changes in landscapes and livelihoods

Agro-ecological zonation and participatory mapping of land use changes. Historical profile based on interviews of local informants,
Household surveys leading to typologies and trajectories of farming systems,
Participatory prioritization of issues related to agriculture and natural resources management.

2. Land use change analysis from remote sensing data

Land use changes analysis from interpretation of aerial pictures and satellite images leads to time series of land use maps,
Data integration from different sources into a geographic information system,
Patterns of land use changes are interpreted using the results of the monographs, and through direct interaction with local informants using the maps as a support for discussion.

3. Reporting and result dissemination

The empirical data from the monographs are compared with the results from other monograph studies conducted by the project or available from the literature for a critical review,
The main findings of each case study are reported in Lao and English languages for rapid diffusion before they are submitted to scientific journals for publication,
Presentations of the key findings have been organized at the local and national levels to inform project partners and interested stakeholders.

Monograph reports on land use change and farming system differentiation processes at village and district levels (student dissertations),

For each case study, a synthesis combining systems and spatial approaches of land use changes,

Capacity building of the project staff and students in conducting monograph studies and reporting.

1. Nalae, Sangthong and Thakhek Districts (Luang Namtha, Vientiane Municipality, Khammouane)

A partnership was developed with a NASA project managed by Dr. Jefferson Fox from the East-West Center of Hawaii for the spatial analysis using Aster satellite imagery. Dr. Zhe Li spent one month with the project doing ground truth surveys in two of the research sites.

2. Xieng Ngeun District and Nam Khan watershed (Luang Prabang)

From 2008 to 2010, a partnership was developed with the Nam Khan EcoValley Project hosted by the Heritage House then WREO (Water Resources and Environment Office) of Luang Prabang.

3. Viengkham District (Luang Prabang)

The Catch-Up program worked in Viengkham district from April 2008 to December 2010 through a partnership with the Landscape Mosaic project founded by SDC and managed by CIFOR. Since January 2011 a partnership has been developed with Agrisud NGO which is implementing a project on food security and poverty alleviation funded by the European Commission.

4. Xiengkhor District (Hua Phan)

The Catch-Up program worked in Xiengkhor district through a partnership with OXFAM Hong Kong, a NGO involved in a food security and development project that founded our diagnostic surveys as well as land use change analyzes from remote sensing data.

5. Pek, Kham and Nonghet Districts (Xieng Khouang)

The Catch-Up program started working in Xieng Khouang province in September 2009 to assess the socioeconomic impact of conservation agriculture in the three pilot districts were the this innovative agricultural system had been introduced between 2004 to 2009. This activity was part of an international comparative network supported by PAMPA Project and funded by AFD.

PUBLICATIONS

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Effects of landscape segregation on livelihood vulnerability: Moving from extensive shifting cultivation to rotational agriculture and natural forests in northern Laos

Castella J.C., Lestrelin G., Hett C., Bourgoin J., Fitriana Y.R., Heinimann A., Pfund J.L.

Human Ecology, 41(1): 63-76.

2013 - Scientific Articles