ABSTRACT
Participatory mapping is a means for gathering information about natural resources, special sites and local perceptions within a shared geographical framework. It is participatory because researchers work with local informants to identify both the purpose of the mapping exercise and those aspects of the environment that are to be mapped. For outside researchers, and sometimes for community members as well, participatory mapping offers a chance to explore local understanding and uses of the natural and social environment, which may be important for land-use planning and development as well as designation and management of protected areas and ‘use zones’ within or around protected areas (Eghenter, 2000; Sirait et al., 1994; see Box 10.1). Local people may themselves request assistance in mapping their territorial boundaries and important resources as well as sites of historical and cultural signifi cance. When these maps are used to challenge offi cial maps this is known as countermapping (Peluso, 1995; Rambaldi et al., 2006). Conservation scientists may want to learn about the location of special sites, hidden habitats, new species, and ranges of endangered and vulnerable habitats and species (Sheil et al., 2003; Stockdale and Ambrose, 1996). Therefore, like other ‘participatory’ methods, participatory mapping can be used either for extractive research or for participatory action research, depending upon whether local participants regard the research as valuable to them and the extent to which they have a role in its design and implementation. In the literature participatory mapping may be referred to as community mapping, though it need not involve the whole or even subsections of one or more communities. Individuals acting as key informants may be suffi cient to get an initial idea of the lay of the land and important locales.
