Table 3. Supporting data and sampling characteristics for the three case studies. Data or sampling characteristic Tanimbar (Indonesia) Beforona (Madagascar) Mahakam Delta (Indonesia) Land cover maps and stratification LANDSAT Thematic Mapper satellite data; 1996, 2002 Aerial orthophotographs; 1957, 1968, 1987, 1994 LANDSAT Thematic Mapper satellite data; 1992, 1996, 1999, 2001 Ecological data Vegetation: 15 sites, 75 plots of 0.2 ha Soil: 75 sites and 450 samples Vegetation: 252 plots of 0.03 to 0.08 ha Soil: 160 samples Secondary data from Hopley (1999) and Creocean (2000) Socioeconomic data 15 village studies (population of 500–2500) using an in-depth socioeconomic survey of 450 households for indicators such as access to land, agricultural techniques and calendar, and household economy (see Shantiko et al. 2004) 6 village-level appraisals and a survey of 42 households for indicators such as access to land, agricultural techniques and calendar, and household economy (investment in time and benefits from different land uses) 50 respondents for stakeholders’ typology; a survey of 100 households for 25 socioeconomic indicators, including pond operation, economics, and technology; in-depth interviews of 30 shrimp traders Socio-cultural 15 villages; extensive interview of elders and customary and religious leaders 6 villages; extensive community appraisal and interview of elders and customary leaders (genealogy, local rules, sacred sites) Extensive interview of elders to track the evolution of Bugis settlements in the delta