Christophe_1 by Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation

Interactions between cattle raising & reforestation in the highland socio-ecosystem of Nan Province, Northern Thailand: A companion modelling process to improve landscape management

Pongchai Dumrongrojwatthana, Guy TrĂŠbuil Christophe Le Page, Nantana Gajaseni , CU-Cirad Project, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

The need for co-management of renewable natural resources in Thailand • Past administrative system: • Centralized, bureaucratic & many often old sector agencies

• Decentralized management at sub-district level since mid 1990s (Lakanavichian, 2006) • New Tambon Administrative Organization (TAO) system • Still young: Need to improve dialogue & communication

• Increased complexity of interactions between bio-physical & socio-economic dynamics • Multiple stakeholders & decision making levels: how to coordinate? • Rapidity of change: Requires adaptive management

• Urgent need for innovative approaches to support joint management of resources & adaptive capacity of actors 2

Forest conservation, farming & land use conflicts • Specific government policies & top-down enforcement:

National Parks in northern Thailand

• Recent increase in conservation areas • Numerous reforestation schemes

• Expanding farm land in up- & highlands 27

Changes in the national park and wildlife sanctuary areas 55

Area (x1000 sq. km)

Area (Million ha)

Frequent land use conflicts

50 45 40

35 30 National Parks 25

2 1960

Wildlife Sanctuaries 1965

1970

1975

1980

1985

country1994 forest cover 1990 Whole 1992 1996

Whole country forest cover

Northern region forest cover Year

Northern region forest cover

1990

1995

2000

2005

Whole country land 1998 2000 farm2002

Year

2010

2004

Whole country farm land

Northern region farm land

Source: Annual statistical reports from the Royal Forestry Department

Designated park Under declaration process Source: www.rfd.go.th

Doi Tiew forestforest-farm land interface – A Hmong ethnic village •Cropping & extensive cattle raising •1961: ~50 Households (HH) •2007: 170 HH (~1,300 cap.)

– NKU & NNP forest agencies

Nan Province

Nanthaburi National Park (NNP) 46% reduction in size (84,126 45,331 ha)

Nam Khang Headwater Research & Development Unit (NKU) Nanthaburi National Park

2 contrasted perceptions and no dialogue 4 reforestation units

Nam Khang Unit & National Park Forest

Reforestation plots

My cattle

Doi Tiew village Grazing land

Objectives: - To understand interactions between cattle raising & reforestation - To improve communication & coordination between foresters & herders

Conceptual framework

Identification and definition of the land use conflict at study site Literature review - LUCC along forestfarmland interface - Cattle raising and forest vegetation dynamics - Collaborative modelling

Validation and enrichment with local stakeholders

Land-use change analysis

Ecological study on the effects of cattle raising

Farming and cattle raising sub-system analysis

Conceptual modelling

Computer Agent-Based Model and exploration of scenarios

Design of a Computer-assisted Role-Playing Game 5

Research activities:

Participatory gaming and simulation field workshops

Laboratory based Field based Corresponding research objective

Improved awareness of interdependence dialogue, shared learning, conflict mitigation and family of models for further use at this site and elsewhere.

Diversity of farmers & other concerned stakeholders

4 different types of farmers Annual income & cattle asset of Doi Tiew farmers

80 70 60 x100 USD

Income from livestock Income from crops Income from other sources Livestock assets

50 40

20 0

1 2 1

13 12 4

8 2

0 Type A

Type B

Type C

Type D

Diversity of farmers & other concerned stakeholders 2 key forest management agencies: NKU & NNP Nam Khang Unit (NKU)

Importance (affected by the issue at stake)

Type D farmers

Nanthaburi Nat. Park (NNP)

Type C farmers

Sob Khun Royal Project

Type B farmers Village headman (type D)

Doi Kard Ref. Unit Sob Sai Ref. Unit

TAO representative (type B)

Researchers Type A farmers TAO president District government representatives Provincial government representatives Cattle traders Sub-district Department of Livestock Development Political parties representatives Heifer International, Thailand The ombudsman of Thailand representative

Low Direct actors: Farmers

Influence (can influence the outcome of the issue at stake) Government agencies Traders

High

Indirect actors: Government and Non-government agencies

Relative importance & influence of stakeholders (Grimble & Wellard, 1997) on the problem

Forest management effects on farm land dynamics & vice versa

1977

1980

Year

(Hypothesis 1)

- Forest management activities led to shifting of farm land to southern area

1988

NKU: 1990

1990

(Dumrongrojwatthana, 2009)

Area (ha)

2003

Thousands

1999

Area (x1000 ha)

2000

NNP: 1996

- Leading to more encroachment & forest degradation (Delang, 2005) 7

Dense forest

6 5

Secondary or degraded forest

Shrubby fallow

Grassy fallow

Rainfed field crop

Orchard

1988

2003

Effect of cattle grazing & reforestation on forest regeneration (Hypothesis 2) Time (Year) 1 .

2 .

3 .

4 Pl4_G4

5 .

6 Pl6_G2

9 .

12 .

13 .

14 .

15 .

16 .

17 .

- Cattle grazing accelerates forest regeneration through reduction of grass volume & risk of bush fire

Grazed fallows

100

Percentage

80 60 40 20

(Harnsoda, 2004)

0 Fa_ Fa_ Fa_G3y Fa_ Fa4y_ Fa_G1y G1y G2y G3y G8mo Tree

Fa_G7y Sapling

. Fa_G10y . Fa_G12y . Seedling

Grass

Fa_G15y

Herb (non-grass)

Non-grazed fallows

100

Percentage

80 60 40 20 0 Fa1y Fa2y Fa3y Fa4y

Tree

Fa6y Fa7y Sapling

Sapling

Seedling

. Grass

Grass

Herb (non-grass)

First conceptual model of Doi Tiew case myCattle 0..*

Cattle -status

myOwner 1

Merchant

-buy -sale

Farmer -id -myCattleStatus

-numberInHerd -newbornRate 0..*

1..*

LandUnit -type -age -grazingLevel

1..*

+reforestation()

myFarmer myPaddock

Paddock

graze

Forester

1 1..* 0..*

Herd

negotiate

-label -size -cattleDensity -totalForage

Perennial Crop

1..* ReforestationPlot -size -age 0..*

Annual field crops Dense forest (10 yr)

(1 yr)

Burned land

(8 yr)

(1 yr)

Secondary forest

(10 yr )

0..*

le att

ec rat /ha) de U o m LS th <1 wi : r y y sit (3 en int

1..*

UML class diagram showing attributes & interactions between actors & resources

(5 yr)

Shrubby fallow

(6 yr)

(4 yr)

Grassy fallow (1 yr with High cattle Intensity: >1 LSU/ha)

(1 yr)

Chrom. fallow (8 yr)

Vegetation transition due to natural succession Vegetation transition due to reforestation Vegetation transition due to crop land preparation Vegetation transition due to forest fire 1 Livestock Unit = 300 kg

Vegetation state transition diagram (proposed by researchers) showing the dynamics influenced by human activities

Sensitizing exercises & co-designing the conceptual model â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 2 small groups: 4 foresters & 5 herders (2 clans) â&#x20AC;&#x201C; first co-validation the vegetation state transition diagram

Explaining the gaming features & how to use them

Year 1

Year 2

â&#x20AC;Ś

Herders indicate next vegetation state in Additional vegetation state suggested by stakeholders 13 recording sheet for different scenarios

Shared representation of vegetation successions Natural (no cattle + no fire) Low cattle intensity + no fire Reforestation High cattle intensity + no fire Reforestation+ low cattle intensity Fire

Vegetation dynamics influenced by: Dense forest

Upland rice

Maize Litchi

Secondary forest

Added by foresters

1 1

4 3 53 Shrubby fallow 2

1 1 2

5 4

3 4

Chromolaena & Imperata fallow

Chromolaena fallow

Note: Based on interview information, high cattle intensity is greater than 1 livestock unit (equivalent to 250 kg of body weight) per ha, Cattle in reforestation area in this highlands is low intensity. Numbers indicate duration of the transition in years

Imperata fallow 1 1

1 2 Thysanolaena & Imperata fallow

State transition diagram for coding agent-based model (ABM) under CORMAS (COmmon-pool Resources & Multi-Agent Systems) simulation platform

Adapted landscape visualization: spatial interface, heterogeneity & symmetry 1 cell ( 3.2 ha)

1 pictogram

Total: 154 cells Actual land use

Left

Right

Simplified spatial distribution of main land use types Symmetric virtual landscape to compare 2 different management strategies 15

1st Gaming & simulation workshop • To better understand the situation – To improve understanding of vegetation dynamics Through sharing different farmers’ & foresters’ perceptions

– To better understand villagers’ & foresters’ decisionmaking processes & practices regarding cattle & land management

• To stimulate collective learning & adaptive management to face future uncertainties 16

Successive steps of a round of play Foresters: Locate reforestation plots

5 rounds

Herders: Decide paddock area & herd size, negotiation with foresters to locate cattle in reforestation plots

Foresters: Negotiate with herders to access land for new reforestation plots

Update cattle status, calves, draw chance card of cattle losses, update herd size

Dense cover

Symmetry initial landscape

Shrub cover Herb cover

Legend: Dense forest

Updated vegetation state by model for 4nd round

Secondary forest Shrubby fallow Chromolaena fallow Chromolaena&Imperata fallow

Grassy cover

Thysanalaena&Imperata fallow Imperata fallow Upland rice

Crops

Maize Litchi River

Herders’ decisions in 1st round

Updated vegetation state by model & herder’s decisions in 2nd round

Updated vegetation state & herder’s decisions in 3nd round

Communication, co-learning, negotiation Init.

• Herders & foresters can manage the same landscape

Decisions in year 1

Decisions in year 2

Pooled

• Former players help new comers • Trust building (Dumrongrojwatthana, 2009)

Individual Decisions in year 3

Legend: Dense forest Secondary forest Shrubby fallow Chromolaena fallow Chromolaena&Imperata fallow Thysanalaena&Imperata fallow Imperata fallow Upland rice Maize Litchi River

move

Decisions in year 4

Beginning of year 5

Plenary discussion: • Herders: Request to test new cattle raising techniques (Seasonal paddock rotation & ruzi (Brachiaria ruziziensis) pasture • Foresters: proposed land for 19 experimental plot

Plenary discussion & debriefing

• Players’ representative explain their strategies & management ideas • Discussion on next steps of the process & further collective management: • •

Herders: ready to try paddock rotation & Ruzi pasture (Brachiaria ruziziensis) Foresters: proposed 10ha plot for a joint experiment in the field

Doi Tiew 2nd Gaming & simulation workshop – Simulation tool integrate request from 1st WS: • Herders: paddock rotation & Ruzi pasture (Brachiaria ruziziensis) • Foresters: proposed plot for joint experiment

– Objectives: • To better understand villagers’ & foresters’ perceptions & decision-making regarding new cattle & land management techniques in relation to seasonal variations • To facilitate the emergence of a joint action plan between foresters & villagers – To further increase mutual trust – To set up a collaborative forest-grazing land management mechanism 21

Tool flexibility: Modifying features, rules on the go Spatial interface: From 12 to 6 herders 1 cell = 3.2 ha

1 cell = 1.6 ha

Park boundary

New vegetation state: Ruzi pasture

Experimental plots from NKU foresters

Time management: from yearly to seasonal time step

2nd WS: successive steps in a round of play Foresters

Making decision for WET season

WET season: Reforestation

Herders

S1 : 3 rounds S2 : 4 rounds

End of dry season: sale/buy, cattle loss/death Ruzi investment: Start in 2nd round

Pay inputs (1 cattle card)

for

: 20 rai (2cells) of Ruzi (Avail. for 6 cattle/yr)

for

: 10 rai (1cell) of Ruzi (Avail. for 3 cattle/yr)

Update cattle status (Fat, normal, thin)

The 2nd workshop gaming and simulation room Doi Tiew school, January 2009

Advantage of collective management Herders manage cattle individually Left-sub group

Right-sub group

80 Area (x10 rai)

Area (x10 rai)

80 60 40 20

60 40 20 0

0 1

2 Year

Year

Forest Shrubby fallow Other fallow Crop Ruzi

Forest Shrubby fallow Other fallows Crops Ruzi

Forest Shrubby fallow

2 Year

Other fallows Crops Ruzi

Herders manage cattle collectively Left-sub group

Right-sub group

80 Area (x10 rai)

Area (x10 rai)

80 60 40 20

60 40 20 0

0 1

Year Forest Shrubby fallow

Other fallows Crops Ruzi

Year

Forest Shrubby fallow Other fallow Crop Ruzi

Forest Shrubby fallow Other fallows Crops Ruzi

Reaching agreement on a joint action plan - Increased diversity of stakeholders : New herders, technician & NNP rangers - Herdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; interest in establishment of ruzi pasture: Need to conduct collaborative research on pasture management

Land : 10 ha & fencing by foresters Forage seed: Provided by District Livestock Development officer Cattle: Animals provided by 3 herders

Diversity of knowledge during the ComMod process Types of knowledge Empirical/ Indigenous Technical Institutional ComMod/ Scientific ComMod trainee Academic (students)

Herders Types of knowledge 100% YSS

YSL

LpSH TSS

ESS LSH

SSL

AnanK

LwSL

ASL

SSS

ThSH

CSH

WSH

TSH CYA

LiSH

RSS

Empirical/ Indigenous Technical 80% Institutional NKU manager ComMod/ Scientific YK ComMod trainee 60% Livestock Academic (students)

developer 40%

WSS SuK

KS TunN

20%

SuP

CLP

KR JN

ThP

PrU

ChD

KI CD

SrP

NKU forester

ThoP TN

Sob Khun Royal Project

St4 JU

Ranger

Knowledge Percentage of time shared spent sharing each kind of knowledge

SJ St5

St3 KW

St1

St2

Student

Dynamics of stakeholdersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; participation 100

Building shared representation 35

Dissemination of results Agreement on collective management action plan

Number of participants

Shared learning & discussion, prepare herders to ABM

0 1st Sensitizing & testing on vegetation state transition diagram

1st Gaming & simulation workshop-Day1

1st Gaming & simulation workshop-Day2

Dissemination of Final validation of 2nd Sensitizing & results from 1st vegetation state testing on new workshop transition diagram gaming features and tools

2nd Gaming & simulation workshop

3rd Gaming & simulation workshop-Day1

3rd Gaming & simulation workshop-Day2

Activities Researchers (first group) Researcher (2nd senitizing & testing activity) Research assistants (1st G&S workshop-D1) Sob Khun Royal Project Officials Nam Khang Reforestation Unit Officials (first group) Nanthaburi National Park Officials (first group) Farmer (first group) Farmer (dissemination activity)

Researchers (1st G&S workshop-D1) Research assistants (first group) Research assistants (2nd senitizing & testing activity) Livestock Development Official (Observer) NKU (2nd senitizing & testing activity) NNP (2nd G&S workshop) Farmer (1st G&S workshop-D1)

Conclusions & perspectives • It is possible to build a shared representation of a complex socio-ecological system with herders & foresters & use it to mitigate their conflict • 2D simplified virtual landscape co-designed with actors was able to support collective decision making • Simulation tools facilitated a collective reflection on existing practices & stimulated creativity • Next steps: – Collaborative research on the sustainable use of pasture – Out-scaling: inside Doi Tiew village & other sites – Transfer approach & adapt tools for teaching & training purposes 29

Thank you for your attention!

More about Companion Modelling => http://www.commod.org

Acknowledgements • Tropical Ecology group, Chulalongkorn University • Stakeholders at Doi Tiew village, Tha Wang Pha District & Nan Provincial office • The Challenge Program on Water & Food (CPWF) of the CGIAR • Cirad & The French Embassy in Thailand • The Commission on Higher Education (CHE) of the Royal Thai Government • The Science for Local Area Project, Chulalongkorn University