2016年-世界发展银行全球_A_History_of_Landscape-Level_Land_Management_Efforts_in_Haiti___Lessons_Learned_from_Case_Studies_Spanning_Eight_Decades_82页_7mb

Summary of Landscape-level Land Management Efforts in Haiti: A History of Case Studies Spanning Eight Decades

Core Content

This report provides a historical overview of landscape-level land management efforts in Haiti, focusing on the evolution of these initiatives from 1948 to 2014. It analyzes fifteen case studies, examining the successes and failures of various approaches, and draws lessons for future land management strategies. The report also explores the ecological and human vulnerabilities that have shaped these efforts and highlights the importance of participatory models and localized land management practices.

Main Objectives of Landscape-level Land Management in Haiti

1. Natural resource conservation, management, and/or restoration
2. Improving and/or increasing agricultural productivity
3. Improving the lives of project beneficiaries by increasing economic activities

These objectives have been central to most landscape-level land management projects, but their success has depended on the emphasis and approach taken to achieve them.

Key Findings from Case Studies

Macro-level vs. Plot-based Approaches

• Macro-level approaches:

  • Focus on entire watersheds.
  • Often emphasize ecological outputs through command-and-control models.
  • Frequently fail due to:
    • A priori assumptions that disregard local practices.
    • Low beneficiary participation due to lack of relevance to local needs.
    • Overly broad objectives that are not deeply addressed.
    • Top-down implementation leading to resource strain and incomplete coverage.

• Plot-based approaches:

  • Account for inter- and intra-heterogeneity of landscapes.
  • Rely on prior and ongoing research to assess local conditions.
  • Adapt objectives through iterative, farmer-driven processes.
  • Involve local participation at all stages of project design and implementation.
  • Rarely achieve 100% coverage within a watershed.
  • Tend to achieve higher adoption and continuity after project cycles.

Trend Toward Plot-based Approaches

• A clear diachronic trend has emerged from the case studies, showing a shift from macro-level to plot-based approaches.
• Plot-based methods are more effective and increasingly preferred, especially in areas with highly fragmented arable land.
• Macro-level approaches are less successful due to the lack of local ownership and investment in government or collectively-owned lands.

Land Tenure and Security

• Land tenure systems in Haiti are informal and formal, allowing for inheritance, management, leasing, sale, and purchase of land.
• These systems, though complex, are highly functional and do not appear to be a significant barrier to project implementation.
• Land security is a potentially volatile issue, especially in the context of large land parcels. However, fragmentation of arable land provides a de facto protective measure against external threats.
• Land ownership is a key determinant of investment incentives for farmers.

Participatory Models

• Participatory models have shown greater success than command-and-control approaches.
• Local inclusion in project identification, preparation, and implementation is crucial for long-term sustainability.
• Successful programs involved multiple stakeholders, including local government, community groups, and church organizations.

Ecological Vulnerabilities

• Deforestation has led to:
  • Damage to riparian systems and soil-silting in lakes and coral reefs.
  • Decline in biodiversity, particularly of endemic flora and fauna.
  • Increased climatic drying due to reduced evapotranspiration.
  • Higher vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes, resulting in landslides, flooding, and erosion.

Human Vulnerabilities

• Agricultural productivity has declined nationwide, with 80% of rural households relying on agriculture.
• Rural out-migration has increased due to environmental and economic pressures.
• Urban areas have become more crowded and environmentally hazardous, with issues like cholera and chikungunya outbreaks.
• Hunger, malnutrition, and under-nutrition have increased, especially among those who migrate or remain in rural areas.
• Shift in diet due to reliance on imported food, which is often less nutritious than locally produced alternatives.

Recommendations

• Prioritize participatory and plot-based approaches for better project adoption and continuity.
• Limit the scope of project objectives to ensure focused and achievable outcomes.
• Align donor and stakeholder visions through extensive preparation and dialogue.
• Ensure local participation in all stages of project development and management.
• Address land security and tenure issues to support long-term investment and stability.

Conclusion

The historical and contemporary landscape of land management in Haiti highlights the need for context-sensitive, participatory, and localized strategies. While macro-level approaches have dominated in the past, the trend is clearly shifting toward plot-based models that are more aligned with the complex realities of rural Haitian life. Understanding these dynamics is essential for designing sustainable and effective land management initiatives in the future.