Details of Award
NERC Reference : NE/R007624/1
Testing the resilience of tropical agricultural landscapes: the role of smallholder farms
Training Grant Award
- Lead Supervisor:
- Professor JK Hill, University of York, Biology
- Grant held at:
- University of York, Biology
- Science Area:
- Terrestrial
- Overall Classification:
- Terrestrial
- ENRIs:
- Biodiversity
- Global Change
- Natural Resource Management
- Science Topics:
- Agricultural systems
- Community Ecology
- Conservation Ecology
- Population Ecology
- Spatial Planning
- Abstract:
- Context of the research: Landscapes have many functions, including providing food to feed a growing human population and to support local livelihoods, as well as conserving biodiversity. In SE Asia, cultivation of palm oil is a driver of rainforest loss, but is vital to local economies, making it crucial to develop sustainable cultivation practices. Most research has focused on minimising environmental impacts of industrial plantations, but smallholders can contribute up to 50% of palm oil production, although information from these landscapes is lacking and few smallholders have become certified. Given that palm oil occurs in about 50% of supermarket products, its production is highly relevant to UK consumers. This project will study the biodiversity and ecosystem functioning of smallholder oil palm farms on Borneo to determine the resilience of these landscapes and their role in the sustainable production of palm oil. Project aims and objectives: This project will examine biodiversity (ants), ecosystem functioning (decomposition) and yields in oil palm smallholdings in Sabah (Malaysian Borneo) to test the following hypotheses: 1. Biodiversity is higher in natural forest areas within smallholder-dominated landscapes than in forest areas within industrial plantations; testing for the effects of placement, quality and size of forest patches on biodiversity; 2. Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning are higher in oil palm planted areas of smallholdings compared with larger concessions; testing for changes in species assemblages and functioning along agricultural intensification gradients; 3. Yields are higher on larger concessions than on smallholdings; testing for trade-offs between oil palm yield, biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and examining if non-linear relationships mean there are landscape designs that provide opportunities for farmers to increase yields without reducing biodiversity, and exploring smallholder impediments to yield enhancements and certification. The project builds on existing collaborations between the University of York and Proforest to deliver novel scientific research that has impact for policy development and improvements to sustainability practices and land management, for the protection of biodiversity and support of local smallholder livelihoods. The student will receive multi-disciplinary training in field work, GIS and spatial analyses, quantitative skills, and knowledge exchange through complementary training activities provided by the University and the CASE partner. Potential applications and benefits: UK Governments have a commitment to sustainably source products (including palm oil), and Proforest's mission is to support and guide the sustainable production and use of natural resources. Proforest's aims includes balancing economic,environmental and social objectives, the implementation of sustainable management in practice, and the achievement of supply chains that source from sustainable production. Project findings will support these aims and benefit other organisations and stakeholders wishing to source palm oil products from sustainably managed landscapes, especially as demand for oil palm continues to grow. Findings from the project showing that smallholder landscapes support high levels of biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, and trade-offs with yield, will significantly impact current sustainable management practices, potentially increasing the amount of land under certification. Findings will contribute to our understanding of spatial dynamics and biodiversity-yield trade-offs in patchy tropical landscapes, contributing to our fundamental understanding of the vulnerability of species to land-use change and best designs for sustainable food production and resilient landscapes.
- NERC Reference:
- NE/R007624/1
- Grant Stage:
- Completed
- Scheme:
- DTG - directed
- Grant Status:
- Closed
- Programme:
- Industrial CASE
This training grant award has a total value of £89,917
FDAB - Financial Details (Award breakdown by headings)
| Total - Fees | Total - Student Stipend | Total - RTSG |
|---|---|---|
| £17,480 | £61,440 | £11,000 |
If you need further help, please read the user guide.