A Systems Approach Framework for the Transition to Sustainable Development: Potential Value Based on Coastal Experiments

Abstract

ABSTRACT. This article explores the value of the Systems Approach Framework (SAF) as a tool for the transition to sustainable development in coastal zone systems, based on 18 study sites in Europe, where the SAF was developed and tested. The knowledge gained from these experiments concerns the practical aspects of (a) governance in terms of policy effectiveness, (b) sustainability science in terms of applying transdisciplinary science to social-ecological problems, and (c) simulation analysis in terms of quantifying dysfunctions in complex systems. This new knowledge can help broaden our perspectives on how research can be changed to better serve society. The infusion of systems thinking into research and policy making leads to a preference for multiissue instead of single-issue studies, an expansion from static to dynamic indicators, an understanding of the boundaries between system-dependent and system-independent problems, and the inclusion of non-market evaluations. It also develops a real partnership among research, management, and stakeholders to establish a quantitative basis for collaborative decision making. Furthermore, the article argues that the transition to sustainable development for coastal systems requires consideration of the scale interdependency from individual to global and recognition of the probable global reorganizational emergence of scalefree networks that could cooperate to maximize the integrated sustainability among them.

Establishing new bathing sites at the Curonian Lagoon coast: an ecological-social-economic assessment

“…Kintai, Dreverna or Svencelė) and Russian parts of the lagoon. Other comparable examples show that a SAF application to this issue is of relevance for other coastal areas, as well, like the coast of Barcelona, Spain, (Tomlinson et al 2011), the Romanian coast near Varna (Moncheva et al 2012) or Gdansk Bay in Poland (Hopkins et al 2012). An unexpected result was the low interest of tourists in water quality and, compared to the Baltic Sea, a relatively positive impression of water quality in the lagoon.…”

“…However, this was no problem in our case study, mainly because limited costs and well defined responsibilities allowed a fast incomplete implementation. Hopkins et al (2012) explored the value of a Systems Approach Framework for coastal management based on 18 study sites in Europe. The role of public perception and stakeholder participation for decision-making is stressed.…”

Development and Use of a Bioeconomic Model for Management of Mussel Fisheries under Different Nutrient Regimes in the Temperate Estuary of the Limfjord, Denmark

“…The strength of the SAF lies in the coupling of ecological and socioeconomic components, and the inclusion of stakeholder knowledge and experience and empirical data of relevance to the ecological and socioeconomic processes of the system. The SAF approach is generic and has been tested in various coastal areas around Europe (Hopkins et al 2012). For example, Vermaat et al (2012) developed a spatial dynamic model that allowed farming decisions to be improved by taking into account present and future societal settings.…”

“…The SAF approach could be used to engage all stakeholders and demonstrate how local individuals could benefit from an integrated management tool based on explorative scenarios in a similar manner to those of Melaku Canu et al (2011) and Konstantinou et al (2012). The SAF approach (Hopkins et al 2011(Hopkins et al , 2012) provides a recognizable, transparent description of the real world and allows Ecology and Society 19(1): 14 http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol19/iss1/art14/ a better understanding of system complexity through bioeconomic model simulations. It engages stakeholders from the outset, thereby ensuring ownership and facilitating self-policing and higher acceptance of management regulations.…”

Investigating trade-offs in alternative catch share systems: an individual-based bio-economic model applied to the Bay of Biscay sole fishery

“…Therefore, modelling 50 frameworks that integrate interactions between resources, uses and governance mechanisms are 51 needed for the simulation analysis of policy issues (Hopkins et al 2012; Mongruel et al 2013). The 52 analysis should highlight trade-offs between management objectives and compare options against 53 one another and against the baseline, thereby providing political decision-makers more complete 54 information to aid with the decision process (Murillas-Maza and Andres 2016; Malvarosa et al 2015).…”