Sustainability indicators adopted in evaluations of natural resource management systems

Abstract

This article presents the results of a literature review based on ten case studies that employed the MESMIS method - the Framework for the Evaluation of Natural Resource Management Systems Incorporating Sustainability Indicators. The aim was to assess the experiences of various researchers and identify the principal sustainability indicators adopted in studies of natural resource management systems. A total of 174 indicators were identified, divided into 59 environmental, 53 economic, 60 social, and 2 health-related indicators, each seeking to understand the characteristics of agroecosystems and agroecological markets in diverse contexts across countries such as Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Italy, Guatemala, Mexico, and Uruguay. It was observed that there is no standardisation in the use of indicators, even when the same method is applied. There is no categorisation of standard indicators across all cases, as each system operates in different locations, with varying ecosystems, and, most importantly, distinct cultures. Given the vast array of indicators already created, this study contributes to guiding future research that adopts MESMIS as a theoretical-methodological framework, providing both theoretical and technical elements for assessing the sustainability of natural resource management systems.