"The problems that affect these complex landscapes are not just biophysical, but social and cultural as well," stated Jeffrey Sayer from IUCN, at the UN CBD COP-9 in Bonn, Germany.

At the Ninth Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, representatives from leading conservation and research organisations debated the importance of landscape approaches to forest conservation and management. At the centre of this discussion was the question of whether landscape approaches, which have been presented as potential solutions for mediating the trade-offs between conservation and development, are relevant and effective, and if so, for whom?

The discussions centred on tropical forest landscapes, which “are typically characterised by weak institutions for environmental governance in complex, changing landscapes of forests, agriculture and other land uses,” said Jeffrey Sayer of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), who chaired the event.

The role of research in informing and achieving landscape level conservation was explored by Meine van Noordwijk of the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) and Alain Billand of the Agricultural Research Center for International Development (CIRAD).

Van Noordwijk’s presentation focused on the question of how research can alter the trajectory of landscapes that are moving from forests to intensive agriculture, in order to preserve forest cover. Forest cover in these areas has functional, direct uses for local communities, as well as preserving connectivity among larger forest reserves.

Billand emphasised the need to bring diverse stakeholders together for landscape management. While an ideal future for landscape approaches would bring together different stakeholders, with the security of contractual agreements, Billand acknowledged that landscapes are also shaped by informal practices.

The panel discussion, which followed the presentations, largely complemented what the speakers presented.

Gillian Shepherd, from the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management, described the multiple uses of landscapes and their resources for local communities, and stressed that first priority should be local livelihoods.

Andre Kamden Toham, from the WWF Central African Regional Programme Office, emphasised the need to ensure that good governance and management are in place, and the engagement of local communities enhanced through payments for environmental services.

Jane Carter, from Intercooperation, discussed the interests of donors, that often focus on the development of the rural poor rather than conservation. She also stressed the importance of a multi-stakeholder approach that included partnerships between government agencies, civil society and local communities.

Finally, Robert Nasi, from CIFOR, argued that landscape approaches were beneficial to the forestry sector as the activities of land users beyond the forest concession can often impact the forest in negative ways, ultimately adversely affecting certification status.

The most common theme that emerged from the event was the need for a multi-stakeholder approach, which develops a shared long-term vision of the management of a landscape. Ultimately, the participants acknowledged that the ideas behind landscape approaches are worthwhile, but their application has not been consistent, and the need is greater than ever.

Story by John Watts, CIFOR and AusAID