Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal (RABA) - Are you looking for one ...

1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. The end product of a Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal
Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal (RABA)
in the Context of Environmental Service Rewards
It may be best to start at the end (figure 1). At the end of a Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal (RABA), an 'honest broker'
or intermediary will have to advise the local stakeholders of a biodiversity-rich agricultural landscape, as well as the
outside stakeholders interested in supporting the conservation of that biodiversity, whether it is worth pursuing
'negotiations' towards a system of rewarding biodiversity conservation. If the answer is 'no', both sides can avoid
disappointment by focussing on other activities or sites. If the answer is 'yes', further studies will be needed. If the
broker isn't 'honest', all parties (including the 'broker') may lose by wasting time and effort.
Can we find local communities
who really want to conserve
agrobiodiversity for a small
incentive?
Figure 1: The main conclusion of a Rapid Agrobiodiversity Appraisal is advice, either to pursue more formal negotiations towards
environmental-service reward mechanisms, or to look for alternative arrangements as the chances of success are likely
to be low.
INTRODUCTION