Role of ecosystem services from rainforests in well-being of Aboriginal people, Australia
Australia (Aboriginal)
Geographical coverage
| Geographical scale of the assessment | Sub-national |
|---|---|
| Country or countries covered | Australia |
| Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name |
The assessment was carried out in northern Queensland. |
Geographical scale of the assessment
Sub-national
Country or countries covered
Australia
Any other necessary information or explanation for identifying the location of the assessment, including site or region name
The assessment was carried out in northern Queensland.
Conceptual framework, methodology and scope
Assessment objectives
- To assess the role of ES from savanna country in well-being of Aboriginal people
- To assess the role of wild resources from rainforest ecosystems in well-being of Aboriginal people, North Queensland
- To determine the socio-economic and ecological values/costs of pigs (pests in tropical rainforests) from Aboriginal perspectives
Mandate for the assessment
Conceptual framework and/or methodology used for the assessment
Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA)
URL or copy of conceptual framework developed or adapted
See page 35 of the attached report. * The role of ecosystem services in the well-being of Aboriginal people in savanna country (2004 to 2006): a scoping study. A report submitted to CRC-TS. Others related frameworks applied in the following research projects: * Understanding the links between wild resources and Aboriginal well-being in the Wet Tropics (2006 to 2007). * Socio-economic-ecological cost of pig infestation in the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, Queensland (2009 to 2010).
Kamaljit, Kaur (2006). The role of ecosystem services from tropical savannas in well-being of Aboriginal people: A scoping study. A Report submitted to the TS-CRC.
CRC_report-_Final.PDF
Kamaljit Kaur (2007). Linking ecosystem services to well-being: A case study of Aboriginal communities in northern Australia. Australian Aboriginal Studies 2007/2.
Aus_Ab_Studies.pdf
Sangha, K K et al. (2011). Identifying Links between Ecosystem Services and Aboriginal Well-Being and Livelihoods in North Australia: Applying the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Framework. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 5 (2011) 931-946.
JESE_2011.pdf
System(s) assessed
- Forest and woodland
- Cultivated/Agricultural land
- Grassland
Species groups assessed
Ecosystem services/functions assessed
Provisioning
- Food
- Water
- Medicinal resources
Regulating
- Air quality
- Climate regulation
- Regulation of water flows
- Erosion prevention
- Pollination
Supporting Services/Functions
- Nutrient cycling
- Soil formation and fertility
- Primary production
Cultural Services
- Recreation and tourism
- Identity value
Scope of assessment includes
Drivers of change in systems and services
Yes
Impacts of change in services on human well-being
Yes
Options for responding/interventions to the trends observed
Yes
Explicit consideration of the role of biodiversity in the systems and services covered by the assessment
Yes
Timing of the assessment
Year assessment started
2010
Year assessment finished
If ongoing, year assessment is anticipated to finish
Periodicity of assessment
One off
Assessment outputs
Website(s)
Report(s)
Communication materials (e.g. brochure, presentations, posters, audio-visual media)
Application_of_the_Millennium_Assessment_Framework_in_Australian.pptx
SGA_presentation_Nov_2012_Final.pptx
Sangha, Kamaljit K. Application of the Millennium Assessment (MA) Framework in Australian Context. (Poster)
Australia_(Aboriginal)_Sangha_Poster.pdf
Journal publications
Sangha, K.K., Butler, J.R.A., Delisle, A., and Stanley, O. (2011) Identifying links between ecosystem services and Aboriginal well-being and livelihoods in north Australia: applying the millennium ecosystem assessment framework. Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 5 (7): 931-946.
4_Sangha__K_K_et_al._(2011)..pdf
Training materials
Other documents/outputs
Tools and processes
Tools and approaches used in the assessment
- Economic valuation
- Social (non-monetary) valuation
Process used for stakeholder engagement in the assessment process and which component
Aboriginal people in north Queensland, Australia.
Key stakeholder groups engaged
Aboriginal people in north Queensland, Australia.
The number of people directly involved in the assessment process
10-100
Incorporation of scientific and other types of knowledge
- Scientific information only
- Traditional/local knowledge
Supporting documentation for specific approaches, methodology or criteria developed and/or used to integrate knowledge systems into the assessment
Recently, I have been applying the capability approach to assess and integrate the role of ES in Indigenous well-being.
I have recently submitted this paper to a journal (will update the text, once I hear back from the editor).
Assessment reports peer reviewed
Yes
Data
Accessibility of data used in assessment
There has been interest indicated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to improve the current socio-economic indicators of wellbeing for Indigenous people in Australia but nothing concrete yet.
Policy impact
Impacts the assessment has had on policy and/or decision making, as evidenced through policy references and actions
There has been interest indicated by the Australian Bureau of Statistics to improve the current socio-economic indicators of wellbeing for Indigenous people in Australia but nothing concrete yet.
Independent or other review on policy impact of the assessment
No
Lessons learnt for future assessments from these reviews
Scenario planning Modelling - integrating ES into well-being measures for policy decision making on Indigenous wellbeing.
Capacity building
Capacity building needs identified during the assessment
Scenario planning Modelling - integrating ES into well-being measures for policy decision making on Indigenous wellbeing.
Actions taken by the assessment to build capacity
Network and sharing experiences
