Advancing on the conceptualization of a theory of change for landscape approaches to biodiversity conervation, the case of Sabah in Malysia.

We define three specific objectives :
To determine the conceptual underpinning of landscape approaches: the PhD thesis will aim at understanding the emergence of the concepts of landscape and jurisdictional approaches and the filiation with other integrated approaches to conservation. What stakeholders have been active in conceptualizing and disseminating the concept and why? Why is it more likely to be successful from a conceptual point of view? How different are these newest initiatives as compared to preexisting/similar approaches? This analysis will be instrumental in clarifying what constitutes a landscape approach and how it is supposed to bring about change.
To determine how landscape approaches modify pre-existing multilevel governance of land-use in Sabah: At the case study level, the PhD thesis will understand the way multilevel governance shape the sustainability of land-use change in Sabah province and analyze the way changes are linked to new interventions associated with the landscape approach. What will be particularly scrutinized is the way meaningful cooperation between heterogeneous actors with a stake in land-use is achieved or not. One key question will be to what extent market incentives such as jurisdictional REDD+ and RSPO certification influence propensity of local key actors to cooperate.
To identify policy process for sustainable landscape management in Sabah: the PhD thesis will aim at unfolding the processes that support a transformation of structural conditions that build the foundations for sustainable and adaptive landscape governance in the province of Sabah. How are policy goals agreed upon? How are specific interventions and changes in the incentive/regulation mix negotiated? We are particularly interested in analysing the politics involving different interest groups with competing claims over rights and resources and the different factors that shape these groups’ positions, actions and power to influence decisions.
Importantly this project will be a means to strengthen collaboration between CIRAD and UPM in the field of economics and on topics related to the management of natural resources, especially forests. We will build on past collaboration between CIRAD and UPM and will diversify research units and key persons involved in order to develop a new stream of joint research on environmental governance and the evaluation of environmental policies and instruments at the meso scale.

WP 3. GWAS on calcareous soil and high temperature.