Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Identifying Effective and Sustainable Measures for Community-Based Environmental Monitoring

  • Published:
Environmental Management Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Resource development projects typically result in monitoring programs that fail to fully consider the values and participation of surrounding communities. Also, monitoring protocols for single environmental values can be insufficient for addressing the cumulative impacts of resource development. Community-based environmental monitoring (CBEM) has emerged as a way to meaningfully include local citizens in the decision-making process and assessment of the development of natural resources. Our research explored how to develop effective and sustainable CBEM. Interviews were conducted with staff from 15 CBEM programs established across Canada to identify criteria of what constitutes effective CBEM. Results demonstrate that CBEM offers an effective, locally adapted, and culturally applicable approach to facilitate community participation in natural resource management and to track environmental change. Benefits of CBEM include: locally relevant monitoring protocols, inclusion of cumulative impacts, better informed decision-making, and increased awareness and collaboration amongst community, governments, and proponents. Challenges associated with CBEM are cost, capacity, longevity, distribution of results, and establishing credibility. This research validates the use of CBEM for improving resource management.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Alexander C, Bynum N, Johnson E, King U, Mustonen T, Neofotis P, Oettle N, Rosenzweig C, Sakakibara C, Shadrin V, Vicarelli M, Waterhouse J, Weeks B (2011) Linking indigenous and scientific knowledge of climate change. Bioscience 61:477–484

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berkes F, Berkes MK, Fast H (2007) Collaborative integrated management in Canada’s North: the role of local and traditional knowledge and community-based monitoring. Coast Manag 35:143–162

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bonney R, Shirk JL, Phillips TB, Wiggins A, Balladard HL, Miller-Rushing AJ, Parrish JK (2014) Next steps for citizen science. Science 43:1436–1437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bradshaw M, Stratford E (2008) Qualitative research design and rigour. In: Hay I (ed) Qualitative research methods in human geography. Oxford University Press, Victoria, p 67–76

    Google Scholar 

  • Burton AC, Huggard D, Bayne E, Schieck J, Solymos P, Muhly T, Farr D, Boutin S (2014) A framework for adaptive monitoring of cumulative effects of human footprint on biodiversity. Environ Monit Assess 186:3605–3617

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cho YJ, Lee EH (2014) Reducing confusion about grounded theory and qualitative content analysis: similarities and differences. Qual Rep 19:8–11

    Google Scholar 

  • Conrad C (2006) Towards meaningful community-based ecological monitoring in Nova Scotia: where are we versus where we would like to be. Environ J 34:25–37

    Google Scholar 

  • Conrad C, Daoust T (2008) Community-based monitoring frameworks: Increasing the effectiveness of environmental stewardship. Environ Manag 41:358–366

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Conrad C, Hilchey KG (2011) A review of citizen science and community-based environmental monitoring: Issues and opportunities. Environ Monit Assess 176:273–291

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cope M (2008) Coding qualitative data. In: Hay I (ed) Qualitative research methods in human geography. Oxford University Press, Victoria, p 221–233

    Google Scholar 

  • Danielson F, Pirhofer-Walzl K, Adrian T, Kapijimpanga D, Burgess N, Jensen P, Bonney R, Funder M, Landa A, Levermann N, Madsen J (2014) Linking public participation in scientific research to the indicators and needs of international environmental agreement. Conserv Lett 7:12–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dunn K (2008) ‘Doing’ qualitative research in human geography. In: Hay I (ed) Qualitative research methods in human geography. Oxford University Press, Victoria, p 77–105

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernandez-Gimenez M, Ballard H, Sturtevant V (2008) Adaptive management and social learning in collaborative and community-based monitoring: a study of five community-based forestry organizations in the western USA. Ecol Sci 13:4–26

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fletcher C (2003) Community-based participatory research relationships with Aboriginal communities in Canada: an overview of context and process. Pimatziwin 1:27–62

    Google Scholar 

  • Franks D, Brereton D, Moran C, Sarker T, Cohen T (2010) Cumulative impacts—a good practice guide for the Australian coal mining industry. Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining and Centre for Water in the Minerals Industry, Sustainable Minerals Institute, the University of Queensland., Brisbane, Australian Coal Association Research Program.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fraser EDG, Dougill AJ, Mabee WE, Reed M, McAlpine P (2006) Bottom up and top down: analysis of participatory processes for sustainability indicator identification as a pathway to community empowerment and sustainable environmental management. J Environ Manag 78:114–127

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gordon AB, Andre M, Kaglik B, Cockney S, Allen M, Tetlichi R, Buckle R, Firth A, Andre J, Gilbert M, Iglangasak B, Rexford F (2008) Arctic borderlands ecological co-op community reports (2006–07). Arctic Borderlands Society, Whitehorse, Yukon Territory

    Google Scholar 

  • Herrmann TM, Sandstrom P, Granqvist K, D’Astous N, Vannar J, Asselin H, Saganash N, Mameamskum J, Guanish G, Loon JB, Cuciurean R (2014) Effects of mining on reindeer/caribou populations and indigenous livelihoods: community-based monitoring by sami reindeer herders in Sweden and first nations in Canada. Polar J 4:28–51

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson N, Alessa L, Behe C, Danielsen F, Gearheard S, Gofman-Wallingford AK, Krummel EM, Lynch A, Mustonen T, Pulsifer P, Svoboda M (2015) The contributions of community-based monitoring and traditional knowledge to arctic observing networks: reflections on the state of the field. Arctic 68:1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karjala MK, Sherry EE, Dewhurst SM (2004) Criteria and indicators for sustainable forest planning: A framework for recording Aboriginal resource and social values. For Policy Econ 6:95–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kirby SL, Greaves L, Reid C (2006) Experience research social change: methods beyond the mainstream. Broadview Press, Peterborough, ON

    Google Scholar 

  • Larter N (2009) A program to monitor moose populations in the Dehcho region, Northwest Territories, Canada. Alces 45:89–99

    Google Scholar 

  • Lawe LB, Wells J, Mikisew Cree (2005) Cumulative effects assessment and EIA follow up: a proposed community-based monitoring program in the oil sands region, Northeastern Alberta. Impact Assess Proj Apprais 23:205–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lefler T (2010) Successful community-based monitoring in Canada: Three case studies. Major Paper, School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON

  • Little KE, Hayashi M, Liang S (2015) Community-based groundwater monitoring network using a citizen-science approach. Groundwater 54: 317–324

  • Lombard M, Snyder-Duch J, Bracken CC (2002) Content analysis in mass communication- Assessment and reporting of intercoder reliability. Hum Comm Res 28:587–604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loss SR, Loss SS, Will T, Marra PP (2015) Linking place-based citizen science with large-scale conservation research: a case study of bird-building collisions and the role of professional scientists. Biol Conserv 184:439–445

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luzar JB, Silvius KM, Overman H, Giery ST, Read JM, Fargoso JMV (2011) Large-scale environmental monitoring by Indigenous peoples. Bioscience 61:770–782

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McKay A, Johnson C (2017) Confronting barriers and recognizing opportunities: Developing effective community-based environmental monitoring programs to meet the needs of Aboriginal communities. Environ Impact Assess Rev 64:16–25

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Noble B, Birk J (2011) Comfort monitoring? Environmental assessment follow-up under community-industry negotiated environmental agreements. Environ Impact Assess 31:17–24

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • O’Faircheallaigh C (2007) Environmental agreements, EIA follow-up and Aboriginal participation in environmental management: the Canadian experience. Environ Impact Assess 27:319–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pandya RE (2012) A framework for engaging diverse communities in citizen science in the US. Front Ecol Environ 10:314–317

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Parlee BL, Goddard E, Łutsël K’é Dene First Nation, Smith M (2014) Tracking change: traditional knowledge and monitoring of wildlife health in Northern Canada. Hum Dimens Wildl 19:47–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Place J (2007) Expanding the mine, killing a lake: A case study of First Nations’ environmental values, perceptions of risk and health. Master’s Thesis, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Northern BC

  • Pollock R, Whitelaw G (2005) Community-based monitoring in support of local sustainability, local environment. Int J Justice Sustain 10:211–228

    Google Scholar 

  • Punch K (2014) Introduction to social research: quantitative and qualitative approaches. Sage, London

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn S (2007) Locally defined measures of successful forest co-management: A case study of Tl’azt’en Nation and the John Prince Research Forest. Master’s Thesis, Natural Resources and Environmental Studies, University of Northern BC

  • Spyce A, Weber M, Adamowicz W (2012) Cumulative effects planning: Finding the balance using choice experiments. Ecol Soc 17:22–33

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Topp-Jorgensen E, Poulsen MK, Lund JF, Massao JF (2005) Community-based monitoring of natural resource use and forest quality in montane forests and miombo woodlands of Tanzania. Biodivers Conserv 14:2653–2677

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tremblay M, Furgal C, Larrivee C, Annanack T, Tookalook P, Qiisik M, Angiyou E, Swappie N, Savar JP, Barrett M (2008) Climate change in Northern Quebec: adaptation strategies from community-based research. Arctic 61:27–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Tulloch A, Possingham H, Joseph L, Szabo J, Martin T (2013) Realising the full potential of citizen science monitoring programs. Biol Conserv 165:128–138

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitelaw G, Vaughan H, Craig B, Atkinson D (2003) Establishing the Canadian community monitoring network. Environ Monit Assess 88:409–418

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Whitelaw G, McCarthy D, Tsuji L (2009) The Victor Diamond Mine environmental assessment process: a critical First Nation perspective. Impact Assess Proj Apprais 27:205–215

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Winchester HPM (2008) Qualitative research and its place in human geography. In: Hay I (ed) Qualitative Research Methods in Human Geography. Oxford University Press, Victoria, p 3–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Yarnell P, Gayton DV (2003) Community-based ecosystem monitoring in British Columbia: A survey and recommendations for extension. FORREX- Forest Research Extension Partnership. FORREX Series 13. Kamloops, British Columbia

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge Scott Green, Bram Noble, Catherine Nolan, and Jane Young for reviewing a previous version of the manuscript and providing valuable feedback. We thank the anonymous reviewers for thoughtful suggestions on improving the manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Graduate Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, V2N 4Z9, Canada

    Ariana J. McKay & Chris J. Johnson

Authors
  1. Ariana J. McKay
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Chris J. Johnson
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ariana J. McKay.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

Informed Consent

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Appendix

Appendix

Table 3

Table 3 Content themes and tags used to code interview transcripts of practitioners involved in community-based environmental monitoring programs from across Canada
Full size table

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

McKay, A.J., Johnson, C.J. Identifying Effective and Sustainable Measures for Community-Based Environmental Monitoring. Environmental Management 60, 484–495 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0887-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-017-0887-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation