Details zur Publikation

Kategorie Textpublikation
Referenztyp Zeitschriften
DOI 10.1007/s13280-025-02189-7
Lizenz creative commons licence
Titel (primär) Rethinking knowledge systems for agroforestry: Insights from the mental models of cacao farmers in Colombia
Autor Rodríguez, T.; Bonatti, M.; Löhr, K.; Sieber, S.
Quelle Ambio
Erscheinungsjahr 2025
Department UPOL
Sprache englisch
Topic T5 Future Landscapes
Supplements https://static-content.springer.com/esm/art%3A10.1007%2Fs13280-025-02189-7/MediaObjects/13280_2025_2189_MOESM1_ESM.pdf
Keywords Agricultural innovation; Cognitive mapping; Mental models; Social learning; Systems thinking
Abstract Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use strategy that requires better integration of diverse knowledge systems. This paper examines how formal knowledge systems for cacao agroforestry systems in Colombia are structured, and how farmers understand and manage these systems. We interviewed 42 actors involved in knowledge production and dissemination and worked with 18 farmers to create mental maps of their management practices. Our findings show that formal knowledge systems remain predominantly top-down and scientific-based, despite increasing recognition of local knowledge. Farmers’ mental models reflect this, showing reliance on external advice and simplified cause-and-effect thinking. When theoretically pooling farmers’ perspectives, we observe a more comprehensive understanding of agroforestry, suggesting that social learning can strengthen their independence and adaptive capacity. Moreover, farm management is shaped by context-dependent variables such as climate seasonality and market access, thus highlighting the importance of integrating farmers’ experiential knowledge into agroforestry design and dissemination for more sustainable, context-sensitive decision-making.
dauerhafte UFZ-Verlinkung https://www.ufz.de/index.php?en=20939&ufzPublicationIdentifier=30761
Rodríguez, T., Bonatti, M., Löhr, K., Sieber, S. (2025):
Rethinking knowledge systems for agroforestry: Insights from the mental models of cacao farmers in Colombia
Ambio 10.1007/s13280-025-02189-7