Abstract
This article presents an adaptable community-based monitoring (CBM) framework. The investigators used a well-tested conceptual CBM framework developed by the Canadian Community Monitoring Network (CCMN) as a basis from which to work. With the use of feedback from various types of CBM groups in the Province of Nova Scotia, Canada, obtained through surveys and interviews, the CCMN framework was modified into a document that attempts to address current disparities and inefficiencies within most CBM systems. The need for such a framework was underscored by the lack of stewardship groups’ use of standardized monitoring protocols and inability to effectively provide information to decision makers. From the information collected through the survey, it was concluded that the proposed framework must be a functional, multiparty form of CBM that addresses the key concerns of a standardized monitoring and communication program and must be able to be fed into the environmental-management system.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Atlantic Coastal Action Program (2006) Available at: http://www.atlantic-web1.ns.ec.gc.ca/community/acap/default.asp?lang=En&n=085FF7FC-1. Accessed: March 15, 2006
Allen JL (2004) The global environment: an emerging world view. Environment 23:1
Cantwell M, Day J (1998) Citizen-initiated river basin planning: the Salmon River Watershed example. Environments 25(2–3):80–90
Chicoine G (1996) Citizen–scientist partnerships: a step toward community-based environmental management. Unpublished thesis, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS
Conrad C (2006) Towards effective and meaningful community based environmental monitoring initiatives in Nova Scotia: where we are at versus where we would like to be? Environments 34(1):25–36
Conservation Ontario (2005) Available at: http://www.conservation-ontario.com/. Accessed: February 19, 2006
Craig, B, Whitelaw G, Robinson J, Jongerden P (2004) Community-based ecosystem monitoring: a tool for developing and promoting ecosystem-based management and decision-making in the Long Point World Biosphere Reserve. Available at: http://www.sampaa.org/PDF/ch4/4.4.pdf. Accessed: September 22, 2005
Day J, Cantwell M (2005) Citizen initiated river basin planning: the Salmon Watershed example. Environments 25(2–3):80–89
Day J, Litke S (2005) Building local capacity for stewardship and sustainability: the role of community-based watershed management in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Environments 25(2–3):91–110
Fabricius C, Folke C, Cundhill G, Schultz L (2007) Powerless spectators, coping actors, and adaptive co-managers: a synthesis of the role of communities in ecosystem management. Ecology and Society 12(1):29 [online]. Available at: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol12/iss1/art29/. Accessed: November 6, 2007
Folke C, Fabricius C, Cundhill G, Schulze L (2005) Communities, ecosystems and livelihoods. In: Capistrano D, Samper C, Lee M, Raudsepp-Hearne C (eds.), Ecosystems and human well-being: multiscale assessments. Volume 4. Island Press, Washington, DC pp 261–277
Gaweda J (2001) River talk: a report on volunteer water monitoring in Ontario. Unpublished report, Citizen’s Environment Watch, Ontario, Canada
Griffin CB (1999) Watershed councils: an emerging form of public participation in natural resources management. Journal of the American Water Resources Association 35(3):505–518
Harvey, K (2006) Monitoring change: citizen science and international environmental treaty regimes. In: Moomaw WR, Susskind LE (eds.), Papers on international environmental negotiation. Volume 15. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA, pp 1–14
Hellawell JA (1991) Development of a rationale for monitoring. In: Goldsmith FB (ed.), Monitoring for conservation and ecology. Chapman and Hall, London, UK. pp 1–14
Hoenicke R, Davis J, Gunther A, Mumley T, Abu-Saba K, Taberski K (2003) Effective application of monitoring information: the case of San Francisco Bay. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 81:15–25
Lasker RD, Weiss ES (2003) Broadening participation in community problem solving: a multidisciplinary model to support collaborative practice and research. Journal of Urban Health 80:14–60
McDaniels T, Gregory R, Fields D (1999) Democratizing risk management: successful public involvement in local water management decisions. Risk Analysis 19(3):497–510
Pattengill-Semmens P, Semmens B (2003) Conservation and management applications of the REEF volunteer fish monitoring program. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 81:43–50
Pollock R, Whitelaw G (2005) Community-based monitoring in support of local sustainability. Local Environment 10(3):211–228
Savan B, Morgan A, Gore C (2003) Volunteer environmental monitoring and the role of the universities: the case of Citizens’ Environment Watch. Environmental Management 31(5):561–568
Sharpe A, Conrad C (2006) Community based ecological monitoring in Nova Scotia: challenges and opportunities. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 13(1–3):305–409
Vos P, Meelis E, Keurs WJ (2000) A framework for the design of ecological monitoring programs as a tool for environmental and nature management. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 61:317–244
Whitelaw, GS (2002) Organizing community based ecosystem monitoring In Canada. Available at: http://www.ccmn.ca/english/library/whitelaw/intro.html. Accessed: October 8, 2005
Whitelaw GS, Vaughan H, Craig B, Atkinson D (2003) Establishing the Canadian Community Monitoring Network. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 88:409–418
Wismer S, Mitchell B (2005) Community-based approaches to resource and environmental management. Environments 33(1):1–4
Yarnel P, Gayton DV (2003) Community-based ecosystem monitoring in British Columbia. Forest Research Extension Partnership (FORREX Series) 13:1–37
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the Saint Mary’s University Student Employment Program for providing financial assistance to undertake this study as well as the numerous environmental organizations who willingly participated. We also thank Peter Duinker and the anonymous reviewers whose helpful comments and suggestions helped make this article better.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Conrad, C.T., Daoust, T. Community-Based Monitoring Frameworks: Increasing the Effectiveness of Environmental Stewardship. Environmental Management 41, 358–366 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-007-9042-x
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-007-9042-x