Socioeconomic Assessment

The CHP has initiated a socioeconomic monitoring programme aimed at documenting the nature and extent of human activity in the Centre Hills, as well as to gather information about public knowledge and perceptions about the Centre Hills and the natural environment in Montserrat. A copy of the Socioeconomic Assessment Report is available on this website under the Documents page.

Socioeconomic information is used to identify trends on social and economic characteristics, human activity, and perceptions about the environment and its management. It can also help to identify sources of human conflict over resource use and management.

Various techniques were used to gather information. Surveys were carried out to measure and describe the extent of human activity and to gauge perceptions and values about the Centre Hills. These surveys took the form of questionnaires, and several were developed to target specific groups, including tourists, farmers, livestock tenders, hunters, and the general public. There were also many kinds of public consultation, including interviews, focus groups, public meetings, and radio call-in programmes. A review of historical literature was conducted to gain a better understanding of past land use. Maps of land ownership, trails, and the forest boundary were prepared.

It was determined that there is not currently capacity to fully the economic values of the Centre Hills. This information is critical in guiding and regulating conservation and sustainable development in the Centre Hills. Thus, funding was sought from the Overseas Territories Environment Programme (OTEP) to conduct an economic valuation study. The project got underway in April 2007. It will investigate market values such as those related to agriculture and tourism, and also non-market/non-use values such as those related to ecosystem services (e.g., water quality, erosion control, etc.) The results will be presented in a way that allows decision-makers to appreciate the costs and benefits of various development scenarios and the impact they would likely have on the environment.

Combined with information gathered in the ecological assessment, this research will inform stakeholder groups, decision-makers, and the general public as to threats and problems in the Centre Hills. It will provide a springboard for seeking solutions and opportunities for more effective use and management of natural resources. The process is also informing decision-makers about the effectiveness of existing management frameworks from the perspective of people who are affected by these legal arrangements.
 

Courtesy: Andrew McRobb,
Royal Botanic Gardens - Kew