Mental Models in Rangeland Research, Communication and Management.

Abstract

There are disagreements among pastoralists, researchers, management agencies and other users of rangeland resources about how rangeland systems work, and how they should be valued, used and managed. The psychological concept of mental models helps explain how individuals and groups come to view the same ecological system so differently, and why communication among people holding different views is difficult. We present a study of the mental models of some researchers, pastoralists and extension officers to illustrate a method for eliciting, comparing and combining their views of landscape water processes. In this specific case we found there were substantial differences between the mental models of individuals and groups. Variation between individuals was the greater. The method we developed has good potential for exploring and combining differing mental models and formal disciplinary theories of science. Disciplinary theories are intended for general application rather than local management. so to address specific problems, combination of scientific theory with local mental models can enhance understanding. Sharing of mental models also improves communication, and ultimately, we predict. management. The method we developed is one of a number of approaches adaptable to the rangelands. We review these methods briefly, and discuss the application of the mental model concept to improve communication about rangeland research and management within an agricultural knowledge and information system. Keywords: mental models; perceptions; research; extension; communication; rangelands; influence diagrams