Simplifying the Complexity of Social-ecological Systems with Conceptual Models

The adaptive cycle and the ecosystem services: a social-ecological analysis of Chiloé Island, southern Chile

“…4), may have disentangled the local relationships between adaptive cycles phases and ecosystem services, as proposed (Table 1), especially for cultural ecosystem services that depend on preserving traditions (Quiñones 2020). However, Burkhard et al (2011) state that two phases (exploitation [r] and conservation [K]) may have high uncertainties on ecosystem services, and Delgado et al (2019a) propose ES are unpredictable in the reorganization phase (α). Schmitz (2010:258), discussing ecosystem complexity, proposes that we should always consider the issue of contingency, which "arises when the nature and strength of ecosystem functioning in different locations are different realizations of the same underlying process."…”

“…So, differences in ES provisions can also characterize the phases of the adaptive cycle (Laterra et al 2016). Burkhard et al (2011) and Delgado et al (2019a) propose relationships between the use of https://www.ecologyandsociety.org/vol25/iss4/art34/ Table 1. Hypothetical relationships between the phases of the adaptive cycle and the ecosystem services based on Delgado et al (2019a) and Burkhard et al (2011).…”

“…Phases of the adaptive cycle Delgado et al (2019a) Burkhard et al (2011 Creative destruction or collapse (Ω)…”

Diverse actor perspectives on African urban food systems: lessons from participatory food system modeling in Worcester, South Africa

“…Our methods built on existing participatory research, including decision-relevant scientific models (Acreman 2005, Brewer and Stern 2005, Feldman and Ingram 2009, stakeholder mapping (Cvitanovic et al 2016), stakeholder workshops (Löschner et al 2016), knowledge co-production Kabisch 2016, Adelle et al 2020), and participatory conceptual models (Delgado et al 2019, Steger et al 2021). However, we took a specific approach that combined experiences from these existing approaches, targeted to the specific context of the food system.…”

“…Building collaboration can be accomplished in several ways: by creating collaborative network structures that aid communication (Bodin 2017), by identifying key individuals who can bridge the gap between different actor groups (Folke et al 2005), or by creating safe spaces and collaborative processes for information sharing (Pereira et al 2018). Collaboration may also be improved by creating shared conceptual models, or mental models, to improve communication and shared representation of complex social-ecological systems (Delgado et al 2019, Steger et al 2021). An urban food system with high collaborative potential is less vulnerable to external shocks, less likely to deteriorate into crisis, and more likely to respond to surprises by creating space for renewal and novelty (Folke et al 2005).…”