Indicator quality for multidisciplinary systems

In January 1998, a project studying the Unification of Indicator Quality for Assessment of Impact of Multidisciplinary Systems (UNIQUAIMS) began at IACR-Rothamsted. This three year European Union-funded project will examine the choice of indicators for the assessment of the sustainability and impact of multidisciplinary systems. The project links 27 developing country and European partners to clarify methods and rationalize indicators for assessing impact and sustainability in three priority areas: farming systems, ecosystems converted to agricultural use and degraded ecosystems. The results will be disseminated to national and regional agricultural research institutes, extension agents, research planners and policymakers to promote improved interdisciplinary, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral management of natural resources. A strong socioeconomic component is involved. This paper describes the scientific and policy issues which led to the project and focuses upon the need to: clarify current methods of impact and sustainability assessment; identify key qualitative and quantitative indicators for both baseline and on-going studies and their relevance at different scales, allowing for the balance between standardization and responsiveness to local conditions; and establish sound guidelines for indicator collection procedures at all stages of research, from project conception through to impact and sustainability assessment.