3.4 Infographic tool for dissemination of connectivity concepts
To support dissemination of connectivity concepts an infographic tool
(Figure 8) was developed based on a generic narrative of the
consequences of land conversion/grazing on soil vegetative cover and
soil surface degradation. The centre part of the infographic focusses on
reduced infiltration due to soil exposure and reduced infiltration
linked to rain splash, aggregate breakdown with loss of soil organic
matter and surface crusting. The wider narrative of the poster was
designed to set the landscape in context, showing the destructive
narrative of the erosion unfolding from the top, to the bottom of the
image. The tracks and pathways dissect the landscape, showing livestock
and human traffic aggravating the initial stream channel incisions –
and the structural connectivity, linking the upslope disturbance to
downslope challenges – and inevitable result of enhanced overland flow.
We chose to create a visual style that would resonate culturally both
within the Western and sub-Saharan diaspora. By developing a series of
graphic devices, recognisable local iconography, a bright colour
palette, and lastly an abstraction of reducing the three-dimensional
scenario into a two-dimensional illustration – the attempted result was
to create an eye-catching and visually pleasing poster that encouraged
interaction and discussion with the researchers and stakeholders alike.
<< INSERT FIGURE 8 >>
Figure 8: Infographic poster designed to explain structural and process
connectivity concepts (see text for explanation).