While there is growing interest in participatory research to address issues around environmental sustainability, the focus of analysis tends to be on the results or products of the research rather than the processes involved. Addressing this gap, the authors draw on their experience of specific mapping techniques, based on different systemic concepts and theories, that have helped facilitate, explore and capture different understandings of the relationships, perspectives and boundaries within situations involving environmental sustainability. The development of visual mapping techniques is explained and practical case studies describe their application in environmental sustainability projects, from working with farmers and their networks to using visual mapping with indigenous communities and managing coastal environments. Each case study provides a ‘real world’ project example from researchers with extensive experience of using these techniques to research different aspects of environmental sustainability over several decades.

This handbook illuminates the most important concepts, findings and theories from EE research, critically examining its progression, current debates, what is still missing from the research agenda, and where that agenda might be headed. Published for the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Proceedings of SPIE present the original research papers presented at SPIE conferences and other high-quality conferences in the broad-ranging fields of optics and photonics. These books provide prompt access to the latest innovations in research and technology in their respective fields. Proceedings of SPIE are among the most cited references in patent literature.

This report is the result of a joint project of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), the World Bank, the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) and the World Conservation Union (Regional Office for Southern Africa) which investigated the threats to precious water resources in southern Africa, and to the environment that sustains them. The full colour, glossy report was intended as a SADC contribution to the United Nations summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg in 2002, and to the New Partnership for Africa's Development. The report provides a framework for the sustainable management of water resources, and presents solutions for long-term protection and appropriate utilisation of water in the counties of the region ? the DRC, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa. Some key messages that pervade the report are: firstly that the effective and sustainable utilisation and management of water resources are essential prerequisites for sustaining all forms of life and livelihoods, and for fostering overall socio-economic development and poverty reduction in the region; and that moreover, sustainable water resources management must be balanced between the short-term needs of the people and their human development, and the protection of the natural resource base and environment.

Environmental sustainability involves the interaction of a number of complex adaptive systems that rely on an understanding of human relationships and perspectives that are widely contested. Mapping Environmental Sustainability explains how visual mapping techniques, based on systems concepts and theories, can be used to facilitate, explore, and capture the different understandings of the relationships, perspectives, and boundaries involved in environmental sustainability to obtain a more complete comprehension of the concept and develop plans for action. Built on practical case studies that are used in conjunction with clear explanations of visual mapping techniques and theories, the book offers a practical guide for people working in or studying the field.