Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
This study explored the shift in land use from livestock farming to game farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from a social-ecological regime shift perspective. A regime shift can be defined as a large, persistent change in the structure and function of the intertwined social and ecological co...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2020-03-01
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| Series: | Land |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/4/97 |
| _version_ | 1818012663904468992 |
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| author | Therezah Achieng Kristine Maciejewski Michelle Dyer Reinette Biggs |
| author_facet | Therezah Achieng Kristine Maciejewski Michelle Dyer Reinette Biggs |
| author_sort | Therezah Achieng |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explored the shift in land use from livestock farming to game farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from a social-ecological regime shift perspective. A regime shift can be defined as a large, persistent change in the structure and function of the intertwined social and ecological components of a landscape. This research focused on the Amakhala game reserve as a case study to understand how the shift affected the provision of ecosystem services and human wellbeing. We used remote sensing techniques to quantify changes in vegetation and found evidence of vegetation recovery following the shift. We then conducted interviews with both landowners and farmworkers and used participatory mapping to understand their perceptions of the main drivers and social-ecological impacts of the shift in land use. Social narratives revealed stark differences in different stakeholders’ perceptions, highlighting that the change in land use had varied implications for, and were perceived differently by, different stakeholders. Farmworkers emphasized changes in social structures that weakened community bonds and erased valued connections to the land. At the same time, they increased employment of women, skills development, and increased wages as benefits of the new game farming regime. Landowners, on the other hand, indicated financial gains from the land use change. The transition therefore resulted in trade-offs that surfaced as social, economic, and cultural losses and gains. These changes, especially in social relationships and community structures, have implications for resilience and possible future pathways of development in the region. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:23:07Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-1efaa13df1bf4a05aa1c49809ee32df8 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-445X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T06:23:07Z |
| publishDate | 2020-03-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Land |
| spelling | doaj.art-1efaa13df1bf4a05aa1c49809ee32df82022-12-22T02:07:56ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2020-03-01949710.3390/land9040097land9040097Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South AfricaTherezah Achieng0Kristine Maciejewski1Michelle Dyer2Reinette Biggs3Center for Complex Systems in Transition (CST), School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South AfricaCenter for Complex Systems in Transition (CST), School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South AfricaStockholm Resilience Center, 106 19 Stockholm, SwedenCenter for Complex Systems in Transition (CST), School of Public Leadership, Stellenbosch University, Private Bag XI, Matieland 7602, South AfricaThis study explored the shift in land use from livestock farming to game farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, from a social-ecological regime shift perspective. A regime shift can be defined as a large, persistent change in the structure and function of the intertwined social and ecological components of a landscape. This research focused on the Amakhala game reserve as a case study to understand how the shift affected the provision of ecosystem services and human wellbeing. We used remote sensing techniques to quantify changes in vegetation and found evidence of vegetation recovery following the shift. We then conducted interviews with both landowners and farmworkers and used participatory mapping to understand their perceptions of the main drivers and social-ecological impacts of the shift in land use. Social narratives revealed stark differences in different stakeholders’ perceptions, highlighting that the change in land use had varied implications for, and were perceived differently by, different stakeholders. Farmworkers emphasized changes in social structures that weakened community bonds and erased valued connections to the land. At the same time, they increased employment of women, skills development, and increased wages as benefits of the new game farming regime. Landowners, on the other hand, indicated financial gains from the land use change. The transition therefore resulted in trade-offs that surfaced as social, economic, and cultural losses and gains. These changes, especially in social relationships and community structures, have implications for resilience and possible future pathways of development in the region.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/4/97regime shiftamakhalasocial-ecological systemland use changeecosystem serviceshuman wellbeingtrade-offs |
| spellingShingle | Therezah Achieng Kristine Maciejewski Michelle Dyer Reinette Biggs Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa Land regime shift amakhala social-ecological system land use change ecosystem services human wellbeing trade-offs |
| title | Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_full | Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_short | Using A Social-ecological Regime Shift Approach to Understand the Transition from Livestock to Game Farming in the Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_sort | using a social ecological regime shift approach to understand the transition from livestock to game farming in the eastern cape south africa |
| topic | regime shift amakhala social-ecological system land use change ecosystem services human wellbeing trade-offs |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/9/4/97 |
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