An in-silico analysis of information sharing systems for adaptable resources management: a case study of oyster farmers

Abstract

Information sharing systems are often viewed as a potential way of increasing scrutiny by actors of their interactions with natural resources. Scrutiny is then seen as encouraging sustainable and adaptable management of the resource. We tackle this claim by using an agent-based model to focus on the specific issue of oyster farmers dealing with the deadly OsHV-1 virus by sharing information about their own experience (practices and outcomes) via their social network and/or an information sharing system. We followed closely what access to such information sharing means for the environment (production), agents (beliefs) and interactions between the environment and agents (practices). In the model, introducing information sharing leads to a decrease in mortality rates and a convergence in agents’ beliefs. Agents stop changing their practices earlier when they share information, but heterogeneity in agent decision-making models leads to wider exploration of possible strategies and increased production. Agent-based modelling proved a suitable method for studying the impacts of information sharing.

Evolutions in estuary governance? Reflections and lessons from Australia, France and New Caledonia

“…OMEGA Thau, see Ref. [29] are not developed specifically for all of the perceived needs of Thau's oyster farmers [31,55]. Furthermore, these information systems have not created a community empowered as 'estuary stewards' as in Australia.…”

“…Second, territorial intelligence theory is drawn upon to examine the specific coordinative roles of Information and Communication Technologies and information flows between actors in governance [48,54,55]. Specifically, what roles non-human actors like models, information systems and discourses play in shaping evolutionary governance processes is Thirdly, risk governance theory is drawn on to understand estuarine communities', managers' and stakeholder beneficiaries' perceptions of risks [45,56,57]; ISO31000/ISO31010).…”

The Flows of Nature to People, and of People to Nature: Applying Movement Concepts to Ecosystem Services

“…By comparing these predictions to real-world observations, future work can determine which of these theories best describes P2N for different types of ES. Some of the models assume perfect knowledge of the environment, which is a strong assumption, as it neglects the fact that certain individuals/groups may have different access to knowledge, as well as the different learning process through which we gain new knowledge, i.e., by sharing experience [117] or through education. Thus, to understand the movement of P2N, data on and from beneficiaries are required.…”

The Collaborative Process in Environmental Projects, a Place-Based Coevolution Perspective

“…The second step aimed at delivering a forecasting tool to shellfish farmers. However, the development of an early warning system has so far been met with poor success because its projections are subject to as much uncertainty as weather forecasts [108].…”

“…For example, a shellfish farms observatory aims to optimize cultivation practices and product quality, and another action consists in the capitalization of available hydrogeological data. Still, improving territorial management via information systems is a daunting task [108,110], where overall success is the result of a negotiated iterative strategy.…”