Integrative networks of the complex social-ecological systems

Abstract

Abstract As an integrative platform of ecology, economy, management and complex networks, the complex social-ecological systems networks provide one new perspective on the comprehensive management of ecological and socio- economical processes. Through research of the structures, functions and processes, the four-dimensional conceptual model of the complex social-ecological systems for sustainable development was set up which comprises of natural subsystem, social subsystem, economic subsystem and integrative decision subsystem. The complex social-ecological systems networks were defined as one six-element tuple denoting the comprehensive spatial structure of different kinds of units from ecosystem, social system and economic system. The complex social-ecological systems networks have four sub-networks including biological sub-network, material cycle sub-network, economic sub-network and social sub-network, and some important attributes such as hierarchical, power-low of degree, vulnerability, resilience, dynamics, co-evolution of flow and structure were analyzed. One case study of the Taihu lake basin water pollution and human body health risk network was conducted. Based on the Multimedia Environment Pollutant Assessment System (MEPAS) of US EPA and the risk network, POPs (Persistent Organic Pollutants) exposure and lifetime fatal cancer risk were studied.