Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
It soon becomes clear that project design, data collection as part of the project, and
monitoring and evaluation of project success are intertwined. At the project design
stage, there needs to be some method included in the project plan by which data
can be obtained to measure whether project outputs have been fulfilled. Project
progress needs to be monitored against milestones, and evaluated to see whether it
is adequate or not. Much of the recent interest in monitoring and evaluating in
conservation has been concerned with these kinds of issues, ensuring that proper
project management practices are adhered to and outcomes can be assessed (e.g.
Margoluis and Salafsky 1998). This is vital, but it is not the only reason why we
monitor in conservation. Monitoring is done:
●
To evaluate project success
. This is done at the end of the project, and asks
how the project fulfilled its objectives, and what factors influenced success. If
several projects are assessed, a comparative study can draw out general lessons
(Salafsky
et al
. 2001).
●
To assess trends of conservation interest
. For example, the population size of the
exploited species, the number of signs of human presence in a protected area,
the composition of the offtake, changes in attitudes or incomes among users.
This assessment of trends usually feeds into the evaluation of project success
because it is measuring the results of the intervention.
●
To uncover and deter rule-breaking
. This is typically anti-poaching patrols.
●
To involve stakeholders in conservation
. If monitoring is done by or in conjunc-
tion with local people, either voluntarily or as project employees, this helps to
ensure local communities feel ownership of the conservation intervention.
Monitoring for evaluation of conservation success should be part of project
design, and is covered in Section 7.3. Monitoring to assess trends of conservation
interest partly includes collection of the kinds of data covered in Chapters 2 and 3;
for example, obtaining a series of estimates of population abundance or of local
people's attitudes to nature, and relating these trends to conservation interven-
tions. These data feed into evaluation of project success, and can be used to guide
adaptive management (Section 7.5.2). However, both of these types of monitoring
are prone to the 'project-based' mindset—the view that we have an intervention,
which then ends and can be evaluated for success. Conservation cannot work in
this way—it demands long-term involvement. Hence, important issues in moni-
toring for conservation are:
●
How can we put in place a monitoring system that deters people from rule-
breaking, and uncovers any violations that do occur?
●
How can we design methods for monitoring trends of conservation interest
that are simple, cheap and robust enough to last once the initial investment
has gone, but that are still scientifically valid and have the power to detect
trends before it is too late?
