Rapid Appraisal of Drivers of Land Use Change (DriLUC)

Land use is dynamic. It is the resultant of decisions and choices made by many actors and agents, and the consequences of the change has many stakeholders. At an early stage of involvement in Integrated Natural Resource Management of a certain landscape, the key features of the resultant 'system' need to be mapped and understood. Looking at a dynamic landscape as a system implies a concept of 'internal' (endogenous) and 'external' (exogenous) drivers of change (even though the system boundary is fluid). The system is subject to 'pressure', has 'response options', 'time lags' and 'feedback mechanisms' that allow learning and internal adjustment. Yet, we shouldn't lose sight of the disconnect, conflicting interests and sometimes open conflicts between the various stakeholders and actors. A 'political ecology' view on the multiple interests and stakes in the landscape can help to form a platform for discussions and negotiations among stakeholders.