What Does Resilience of Social–Ecological Systems Mean in Burundi? A Qualitative Approach

Luc Janssens de Bisthoven (), Ilya Pijpen, Olivier Nkurikiye, Anne-Julie Rochette, Johan Slimbrouck, Alice Vandommele, Longin Ndayikeza, Jacques Nkengurutse and Jean Hugé
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Luc Janssens de Bisthoven: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, CEBioS Program, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Ilya Pijpen: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, CEBioS Program, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Olivier Nkurikiye: East African Nutritional Sciences Institute, Bujumbura P.O. Box 1550, Burundi
Anne-Julie Rochette: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, CEBioS Program, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Johan Slimbrouck: Join For Water, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
Alice Vandommele: Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, CEBioS Program, 1000 Brussels, Belgium
Longin Ndayikeza: Office Burundais pour la Protection de l’Environnement, Bujumbura P.O. Box 2757, Burundi
Jacques Nkengurutse: Biology Department, University of Burundi, Bujumbura P.O. Box 1550, Burundi
Jean Hugé: Centre for Environmental Sciences, University of Hasselt, 3590 Hasselt, Belgium

Land, 2025, vol. 14, issue 12, 1-21

Abstract: To gain a better understanding of social–ecological resilience in Burundi, a country facing increasing demographic and climate-induced pressures, this study aimed to identify local perceptions of resilience and list disturbances experienced by rural communities that undermine social–ecological resilience. Focus group discussions explored possible challenges for the nexus of (1) rights–governance–knowledge and (2) access to ecosystem services–restoration–conservation. Theme clusters emerging from the focus groups were structured from political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal perspectives to identify major stakeholder concerns. Then, this study applied an indicator-based assessment tool designed for development projects in production landscapes. Questionnaire results revealed the absence of income diversity, limited adaptation strategies, and a large prevalence of climatic and agricultural disturbances among rural households. The study findings underscored substantial variations between the different study regions. To enhance the adaptive capacity of local communities, policy-making should focus on diversification within and beyond agriculture, supported by adequate extension services. Adequate ecosystem governance is necessary to maintain or restore the remaining ecosystems, given their pivotal role in social–ecological resilience.

Keywords: resilience; social–ecological systems; Burundi; stakeholder; participatory assessment; PESTEL; adaptive capacity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q15 Q2 Q24 Q28 Q5 R14 R52 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:12:p:2301-:d:1800409

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