ABSTRACT
The rationale for, and benefits to be gained from, undertaking global environmental change (GEC)/food security research at the regional level are discussed in Chapter 13. However, given the varied and complex interactions between regional and national objectives, research at the regional level has to encompass considerations of multilevel dynamics. Further, many of the food security issues are based on socio-ecological interactions that need to be studied at a number of scales and levels (Chapter 2). This gives rise to three types of research questions that all need to be addressed to recognize the complex spatial and temporal dynamics within a region and to cover the varied interests of regional-level stakeholders (Chapter 14):
Regional-level questions, to address issues relating to the region as a whole that cut across the range of different conditions within the region. Example: What regional-level policy instruments and strategies would reduce GEC threats to regional food security? (e.g. transboundary water agreements; intraregional trade; strategic food banks; reduction of non-tariff barriers; regional disaster management; regional licensing for agricultural inputs such as agrochemicals and genetically modified organisms (GMOs), regionally coordinated taxation and export policies).
Subregional-level questions, which are researched in a set of case studies selected to represent – as best as possible – the heterogeneity of a range of parameters across the region. These case studies could be a district or even a (small) country. Example: What aspects of local governance affect the development and implementation of food system adaptation options and strategies? (e.g. vision, popular acceptance, corruption, accountability and social auditing, capacity and capability, price stability, food standards).
Cross-level questions. Example: What are the key interactions between policy instruments, strategies and interventions set at different levels? (e.g. national insurance policy and regional fisheries production; land-use regulation and local disaster management; local distribution infrastructure and intra-regional trade agreements; crop diversification and intraregional trade; regional versus local early-warning systems).
