Science, expertise and environmental policies:
The role of scientists and experts in the implementation of “ecosystem services” concept in Madagascar

One objective of scientific research is improving human life quality in the long term. In theory, scientists answer to a social request, identify a problem, think about it and propose solutions. In reality, the different steps of knowledge production and of their implementation are complex and subject to several problems whose solutions are not necessarily unique.

“Science”, especially when it is question of applied sciences as those implemented in development context (defined as an improvment of individual’s and societal’s life quality), is a social practice. Apparently simple and reasonable solution collides to conflictual interests, to different traditions and believes, to social structures.

Sciences « in practice » have been studied, above all in technologies field, but few in the area of environmental public policies in the South. What we propose in this project is to contribute to the knowledge of “scientific paths”, which means the way that scientific knowledge relative to environmental problems in South countries goes through people and institutions to be incorporated into public policies.

The case of ecosystem services is exemplary. Debated for around ten years, this theoretical concept became a tool for public action. At the international level, its recognition has been accelerated by its integration into the United Nations Millenium Ecosystem Assessment (2005). It is from now on progressively incorporated into toolbox of environmental public policies in the South.

The case of Madagascar, true laboratory of environmental theories application, is especially demonstrative. Discussed by decision-makers and conservation NGOs for a while, this concept of ecosystem services begin to be integrated into environmental projects.

The transmission of this concept and its transformation into public policy tool will be the object of my PhD research. The more general ambition is (i) to bring understanding elements of the gap between sciences and policies in order to increase existing links between those two action fields and to improve applied sciences, (ii) to inform differences of representation between South and North researchers, between researchers from different disciplines and different institutions in order to enhance scientific partnerships.

This research will lead to the redaction of a PhD thesis and co-published articles with Malagasy partners. In a more practical way, it will feed in Madagascar discussions of the reflexion comity on payment for ecosystem services which brings together decision-makers, NGOs and scientists.

PhD Candidate:

Bidaud Rakotoarivony Cécile
Lot IVI 95 Ankadifotsy
101 Antananarivo
Tel.: + 261 032 42 337 92
E-Mail: Cecile.bidaud@graduateinstitute.ch

Supervisor : Prof. Marc Hufty

Research Partners
C3EDM Centre d’Economie, d’Ethique et d’Environnement pour le Développement de Madagascar
http://www.univ-antananarivo.mg/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=54

Mr. Jeannot Ramiaramanana
C3EDM
Département Economie
Université d’Antananarivo
Fac DEGS - BP 905 Tana 101
Tel.: + 261 20 22 557 88
E-Mail: c3ed_m@yahoo.fr

Fano Andriamahefazafy
C3EDM
Département Economie
Université d’Antananarivo
Fac DEGS - BP 905 Tana 101
Tel.: + 261 33 11 994 78
E-Mail: fanoandriamahefazafy@yahoo.fr

Projet SERENA
http://www.serena-anr.org/

Philippe Méral
IRD Institut de Recherche pour le Développement
UR 199 Dynamiques socio-environnementales et gouvernance des ressources
911 avenue Agropolis - BP 64501
34394 Montpellier cedex 5 France
Tel.: + 33 4 67 63 69 78
E-Mail: Philippe.meral@ird.fr

Denis Pesche
CIRAD Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement
ARENA Actions collectives, politiques et marchés
TA C-88/15
Avenue Agropolis
34398 Montpellier Cedex 5
Tel.: +33 4 67 61 56 79
E-Mail: Denis.pesche@cirad.fr