DPSIR Indicators

The authors used the DPSIR framework to generate a tentative list of sustainable development indicators which could be used to monitor management activities.

In addition to natural physical drivers, including climate change, key socio-economic Drivers and their corresponding indicators, included:

• Heritage protection & conservation: type and value of protection incentives, area under conservation
• Community development: urbanization level, population growth rate
• Tourism Activities: % employment in tourism, contribution of tourism income to local GDP

These Socio-economic drivers create Pressures, and their corresponding indicators, on the state of the ecosystem through

• Demographic dynamics: net migration rate
• Waste emissions: rates of greenhouse gas emissions, rates of sulphur dioxide emissions

Changes in the State that can be monitored include

• Eco-environment: Soil degredation index
• Community living conditions: Access to safe drinking water, life expectancy

Changes in the ecological and environmental state can have Impacts on indicators of

• Heritage security: landscape fragmentation, bamboo coverage, distribution of panda sanctuaries
• Social progress: public perception of condition

Long-range management actions, or Response, may be quantified by

• Monitoring: construction of a monitoring network, investment in monitoring
• Thematic planning: quantity & quality of plans, implementation of plans
• Awareness, training, and education: Sales promotion, Percent of population trained
• Capacity building: share of protection and pollution treatment investment in GDP; funding of programs launched

Wei, J., Z. Yountao, X. Houqin, and Y. Hui. 2007. A framework for selecting indicators to assess the sustainable development of the natural heritage site. Journal of Mountain Science 4:321-330