A diagnostic procedure for applying the social-ecological systems framework in diverse cases

Maja Schl�Ter,Thomas Falk,Michael E Cox,Claudia R Binder,Jochen Hinkel

doi:10.5751/es-07023-200132

Abstract

Hinkel, J., M. E. Cox, M. Schlüter, C. R. Binder, and T. Falk. 2015. A diagnostic procedure for applying the social-ecological systems framework in diverse cases. Ecology and Society 20(1): 32. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-07023-200132

Highlights

The framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems (SES framework; Ostrom 2007, 2009) is a multitier hierarchy of concepts and variables that have been identified through extensive empirical analyses of a large number of case studies in the context of fishery, water, and forestry common-pool resources (McGinnis and Ostrom 2014)
We conclude that the current SES framework has limitations when applied to complex, multiuse SES, because it does not sufficiently capture the actor interdependencies introduced through resource system (RS) and resource units (RU) characteristics and dynamics
Appropriation action situation characterized through RS/RU variables: For this case, we identified three collective goods to be relevant (Fig. 3)

Summary

Introduction

The framework for analyzing sustainability of social-ecological systems (SES framework; Ostrom 2007, 2009) is a multitier hierarchy of concepts and variables that have been identified through extensive empirical analyses of a large number of case studies in the context of fishery, water, and forestry common-pool resources (McGinnis and Ostrom 2014). The framework was originally developed for situations in which resource users extract RU from a common stock of RU, which was in turn associated with a RS (McGinnis and Ostrom 2014) The precursor to this is a large set of work on common-pool resources, on fishery, forestry, and water management (Gardner et al 1990, Ostrom et al 1994). Low excludability means that it is difficult to prevent nonusers from consuming the resource or otherwise imposing obligations on those who use it.

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion