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Participatory GIS for strengthening transboundary marine governance in SIDS
Author(s) -
Baldwin Kimberly,
Mahon Robin,
McConney Patrick
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
natural resources forum
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.646
H-Index - 49
eISSN - 1477-8947
pISSN - 0165-0203
DOI - 10.1111/1477-8947.12029
Subject(s) - business , corporate governance , stakeholder engagement , context (archaeology) , competence (human resources) , stakeholder , citizen journalism , knowledge management , empowerment , environmental resource management , environmental planning , public relations , political science , geography , computer science , management , world wide web , environmental science , economics , archaeology , finance , law
In this paper we explore the challenges involved in engaging the full range of stakeholders needed for effective marine resource management in the transboundary G renadine I slands shared by the small island developing S tates ( SIDS ) of S aint V incent and the G renadines and G renada. The study describes the ways stakeholders were engaged in the development of participatory geographic information systems ( PGIS ), both in terms of the research approach (process) and the final geodatabase (product); it illustrates how the approach provides a practical means to strengthen aspects of marine governance, particularly in a SIDS context. We found that PGIS can provide a foundation for ecosystem‐based transboundary marine governance. The advantages of this approach are two‐fold: it provides the fullest possible range of information as input for the management of marine resources and it engages the stakeholders. This engagement takes several forms: capacity to participate in research; ownership of information produced; increased stakeholder understanding; empowerment through access to information; capacity to interact with other stakeholders for information and problem‐solving; and competence to participate in actual governance processes. Lastly, we discuss considerations for other practitioners contemplating using PGIS , particularly those working in similar resource‐limited SIDS environments.