Abstract
Schlüter, M., B. Müller, and K. Frank. 2019. The potential of models and modeling for social-ecological systems research: the reference frame ModSES. Ecology and Society 24(1):31. https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-10716-240131
Highlights
Understanding the dynamics that arise from the interactions and feedbacks between people, societies, and the ecosystems on which they depend is one of today’s major challenges (Carpenter et al 2009)
We propose the reference scheme “modelling for social-ecological systems research” (ModSES)”, which aligns different social-ecological systems (SESs) research aims with suitable model types and applications along the dimension of increasing realism, from theoretical study to empirical case, and along the degree of integration of different disciplines, stakeholders, and knowledge systems, from mono- to inter- and transdisciplinary
At the lower left corner of ModSES (Fig. 1) lies the aim to identify generic processes or principles that determine SES behavior, which is often supported by dynamical systems models, bioeconomic models, or theoretical state-and-transition models, which generally rely on theory and methods from the respective disciplines, ecology and economics
Summary
Understanding the dynamics that arise from the interactions and feedbacks between people, societies, and the ecosystems on which they depend is one of today’s major challenges (Carpenter et al 2009). Along the tensions of addressing real-world problems and developing SESs theory through processes that integrate diverse knowledge systems and account for the complex and intertwined nature of SESs, we identify five overarching SESs research aims that may benefit from greater involvement of modeling: (1) to identify generic processes or principles that determine SES behavior, (2) to manage SESs as complex adaptive systems, (3) to understand the emergence of SES phenomena, (4) to generate transdisciplinary knowledge about social-ecological interactions and feedbacks, and (5) to support social learning and exploration of new pathways for societal transformation (Table 1). Alternative difference equations numerical analysis of stable states representing rate of change fixed points, stability, of aggregate system variables attractors, bifurcations
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