Adaptive capacity in social–ecological systems: a framework for addressing bark beetle disturbances in natural resource management

Abstract

The ability of natural resource agencies to act before, during, and after outbreaks 32 of conifer bark beetles (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) is important to ensure the continued 33 provision of ecosystem services. Adaptive capacity refers to the capability of an agent or 34 system to adapt to change, regardless of whether it is examined as an independent social 35 or ecological entity, or as a coupled social-ecological system. Understanding the 36 components of a disturbance and the associated effects to ecosystem services, social 37 systems, and natural resource management increases the ability to adapt to change and 38 ensure continued resilience. This paper presents a definition and conceptual framework of 39 adaptive capacity relevant to bark beetle disturbances that was developed through an 40 interdisciplinary workshop held in 2016. The intent is to assist natural resource managers 41 and policymakers in identifying important adaptation characteristics to effectively 42 address bark beetle disturbances. The current state of knowledge regarding institutional, 43 social, and environmental factors that influence adaptive capacity are identified. The 44 mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) in the western USA is used as a 45 specific example to discuss several factors that influence adaptive capacity for increasing 46 resilience. We hope that that our proposed framework serves as a model for future 47 collaborations among both social and physical scientists and land managers to better 48 address landscape-level disturbances that are being exacerbated by climate change.

Perceptions of Bark Beetle Landscape Disturbance Effects on Natural Resources and Drinking Water: Assessing Communication and Knowledge Exchange in the Rocky Mountain Region, USA

“…Among the communication achievements of the project was the development of key messages for placed-based science education and public educational programs about the effects of mountain pine beetle infestation on water quality and natural resources. This was accomplished via an NBC News Learn "Sustainability: Water -Dead Trees & Dirty Water in the Rockies" video [see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v = IOtBBJuKg5U] and through a university honors seminar conducted collaboratively between COM and CSU entitled "Naked Trees, Killer Beetles, and Dirty Water" [74] Further, a theoretical framework was developed by a research workshop group in 2016 funded internally at CSU to provide land managers and policymakers a potential tool for identifying limitations for adaptive capacity in social ecological systems (SES) in hopes of addressing future bark beetle infestation events [16].…”

“…Understanding the primary challenges and concerns of stakeholders provides useful information for scientists to account for when disseminating research findings and developing future research objectives[69]. Understanding stakeholder challenges and concerns increases our ability to connect scientific knowledge of climate disturbance impacts with local needs, to inform scientific endeavors with local knowledge, and thereby improve adaptive capacity[16] [17][23].…”

Rethinking strategies for coexistence with bark beetles in Mexico and beyond

“…Adaptive capacity is the ability of a system to adjust to changes like those imposed by bark beetle infestations. Cottrell et al (2019) recognized the importance of "the preconditions of a social-ecological system to adapt to that disturbance in a proactive and/or reactive manner" that depend on the scale and intensity of the bark beetle outbreak; the level of risk perception; and the form and degree of local and multilevel governance.…”

“…Forest SES are dynamic by nature, and while unlikely to have a unique equilibrium state in the long term, a threshold of relative stability may be attained (Janssen and Ostrom 2006b). This stability is conferred by three properties: resistance, resilience, and adaptive capacity (Panel 1; Folke 2006;DeRose and Long 2014;Cottrell et al 2019). Even if bark beetles modify structure and function in the ecological subsystem, a forest SES may have the capacity to adapt in a relatively short period of time, thereby avoiding transition to a different and less desirable stable state (Figure 1; Holling 1973).…”

“…Forest pest control is the responsibility of the landowners, including government, the timber industry, individual families, and communities, but in a few instances, particularly in Central America and Europe, the military has also taken charge (Amador 2015;BBC 2019) Adaptive capacity is the ability of a system to adjust to changes like those imposed by bark beetle infestations. Cottrell et al (2019) recognized the importance of "the preconditions of a social-ecological system to adapt to that disturbance in a proactive and/or reactive manner" that depend on the scale and intensity of the bark beetle outbreak; the level of risk perception; and the form and degree of local and multilevel governance.…”