Participatory mapping with the communities and students of Ovalau island, Fiji, in 2025.

The presented participatory mapping study was part of SOCPacific2R. The project designs its research activities with an empirical inter- and transdisciplinary approach combining natural and social sciences methods, and focuses on reef passages in Fiji and New Caledonia. This report provides a step-by-step account of how the research team designed and conducted the participatory mapping with communities and students on Ovalau. Sessions were held in three locations, each with separate male and female groups, resulting in six maps representing the perspectives of each group on the coastal reef systems. Methods and materials prepared by a team with GIS and moderation skills are described in detail, as these were pivotal to the success of the work, alongside a respectful approach towards local customs and the involvement of participants in multiple stages of the process.