Social-ecological Systems Framework Research Articles

Free-Riding in Plant Health: A Social-Ecological Systems Approach to Collective Action.

Plant disease epidemics often transcend land management boundaries, creating a collective-action problem where a group must cooperate in a common effort to maximize individual and group benefits. Drawing upon the social-ecological systems framework and associated design principles, we review variables of resource systems, resource units, actors, and governance systems relevant to collective action in plant health. We identify a need to better characterize how attributes of epidemics determine the usefulness of collective management, what influences actors' decisions to participate, what governance systems fit different plant health threats, and how these subsystems interact to lead to plant health outcomes. We emphasize that there is not a single governance structure that ensures collective action but rather a continuum of structures that depend on the key system variables identified. An integrated social-ecological systems approach to collective action in plant health should enable institutional designs to better fit specific plant health challenges.

Livelihood, irrigation, and landslide: Unfolding the human-water-land nexus using an integrative framework

Irrigation-induced landslides occur globally and cause destructive consequences. Farmers’ dual roles as the cause and victim of irrigation-induced landslides call for systematic assessment of the nested human-water-land interactions to mitigate landslides. This study develops an analytical framework based on social-ecological system framework (SESF) and sustainable livelihood framework (SLF), which is applied to diagnose human-water-land interactions in the case of Heifangtai (HFT) in Loess Plateau, China. A three-tiered indicator system includes 68 indicators to explicitly assess the first- and second-tier variables in the integrative SESF-SLF. Multi-sourced data was collected, triangulated, and analyzed to unfold the interactions, dynamics, and evolutions in the regional SES and individual livelihood. The results show that the interactions between farmers’ livelihood strategies and the carrying capacity of regional land and water systems are the primary drivers shaping social-ecological relationships in HFT, followed by resource utilization and actors’ decision-making. Development opportunities are provided based on SES diagnosis, and methodological issues of framework construction and method and data integration are discussed. Integrating individual livelihood perspectives into SES provides a more nuanced solution to explain the specifics of resources utilized in livelihood strategies, which shows applicability and suitability in HFT and other similar cases of human-water-land interaction.

Enhancing sustainability: Exploring the evolution and dynamics of the grassland social-ecological system in Inner Mongolia over the past 260a

Understanding the intricate relationship between social-ecological systems (SES) coupling and long-term regional sustainable development is critical for effective management strategies. While recent research has predominantly focused on human-earth coupling, there is a dearth of knowledge concerning the transition of grassland SES from one regime to another and the underlying drivers. This study employs a comprehensive SES framework to identify and analyze interactions within typical pastoral areas of Inner Mongolia, aiming to shed light on the evolution of the grassland SES over the past centuries. Our research defines five distinct evolutionary phases in the grassland SES since the mid-Qing Dynasty. Each phase is characterized by unique social and ecological features, providing a nuanced understanding of the system's dynamics. We establish empirical links between the phases and their driving forces and impacts by assessing the main changes between these periods. Specifically, our findings reveal instances of negative cross-scale effects emerging during the evolution process. We observe that unreasonable resource utilization and an inability to curb ecological degradation may lead to unsustainable traps, posing challenges to long-term sustainability. To illustrate, during the transition from Phase 3 to Phase 4 in the late 19th century, a shift towards sedentary pastoralism led to increased land degradation due to intensified grazing practices. This unsustainable trajectory highlights the importance of adaptive management strategies to mitigate such negative consequences. This study contributes insights into the social and ecological management of grassland pastoral areas in China and for global analogous regions. By addressing the identified phases and their associated challenges, our research provides a foundation for crafting sustainable policies and practices to ensure the resilience of grassland SES in diverse geographical contexts.

Inspired to build understanding: learning about sustainability and environmental education from within a virtual world

This study explores the use of virtual worlds, specifically Minecraft, on sustainability education and cognitive skills. Using the Teaching to Inspire model as a lens, we examine how students design sustainable virtual buildings and cityscapes aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the social-ecological systems (SES) framework. Our research demonstrates how virtual experiences can inspire future-thinking mindsets. The findings underscore the significance of curiosity, passion, and drive in the conative domain as housed in promoting student engagement and understanding of sustainability. The study emphasises the crucial role of teachers in facilitating critical thinking, inquiry, and reflection within virtual spaces to create a sense of place and emotional connection. This paper contributes to the existing literature on sustainability education and provides valuable insights into the potential of virtual worlds for environmental education.

Collective participation in conservation easements in rural China: Evidence from the Qianjiangyuan National Park

Conservation easements (CE), as an emerging conservation strategy in China, have gained successful collective participation within the Qianjiangyuan National Park with all its collectively-owned forestlands under easements. This study uses an analytical framework developed from the social-ecological systems (SES) framework to explore systemic inter-dependencies among social, economic, political, and natural processes that contextualize the agreements and patterns of interaction where collective participation is achieved. The results indicate that broader-scale variables under socio-ecological contexts, by affecting the resource system, government system, actor system variables, and their interactions, play a more important role in CE participation than sole individual variables. At the regional scale, changing socio-political factors have influenced rural communities' resource utilization and reduced economic dependency on logging activities, facilitating CE adoption. Within the focal action situation, collective participation was achieved under the rural governance system in which actors interact to form community-level consensus through rural self-governance and consultation, influenced by the mobilizing power of the authority. The case study in China demonstrates the feasibility of using CE as a forest co-management strategy in densely populated protected areas under a common-property regime and the necessity of considering both regional-scale factors and local dynamics in CE design and implementation.

Effect of payment for forest ecosystem services on forest conservation practices in Vietnam

Payment for forest ecosystem services (PFES) policy is a prevalent strategy designed to establish a marketplace where users compensate providers for forest ecosystem services. This research endeavours to scrutinise the impact of PFES on households’ perceptions of forest values and their behaviour towards forest conservation, in conjunction with their socio-economic circumstances and their communal involvement in forest management. By incorporating the social-ecological system framework and the theory of human behaviours in environmental conservation, this study employs a structural equations model to analyse the factors influencing individuals’ perceptions and behaviours towards forest conservation. The findings indicate that the payment of PFES significantly increases forest protection behaviour at the household level and has achieved partial success in activating community mechanisms to guide human behaviour towards forest conservation. Furthermore, it has effectively leveraged the role of state-led social organisations to alter local individuals’ perceptions and behaviours towards forest protection.

A systematic review of factors influencing self-governed public open spaces: insights from social-ecological system framework and collective action

PurposeDue to the influence of complex and intersecting factors, self-governed public open spaces (POSs) (managed by local communities) are subject to collective action dilemmas such as tragedy of the commons (overexploitation), free-riding, underinvestment and mismanagement. This review paper adopts a multi-dimensional and multi-tier social-ecological system (SES) framework proposed by McGinnis and Ostrom, drawing on collective action theory to explore the key institutional-social-ecological factors that impact POS self-governance.Design/methodology/approachIn this paper, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) was utilized to systematically screen and review the relevant literature for the period from 2000 to 2023 in three databases: Web of Science, Scopus and Google Scholar. A total of 57 papers were chosen for in-depth analysis.FindingsThe literature review identified and categorized several variables associated with the self-organizing system of POS; consequently, an SES-based POS management framework was developed for the first time, consisting of 114 institutional-social-ecological sub-variables from different dimensions and three levels. Compared to ecological factors, among others, governance organizations, property-rights systems, socioeconomic attributes and actors' knowledge of SES have been commonly and primarily studied.Research limitations/implicationsThere is still room for the refinement of the conceptual SES-based POS collective action framework over the time (by adding in new factors), and indefinitely empirical research validating those identified factors is also worth to be undertaken, particularly testing how SES factors and interaction variables affect the POS quality (collective action).Originality/valueThe findings of this study can provide local policy insights and POS management strategies based on the identification of specific SES factors for relevant managers. Moreover, this research makes significant theoretical contributions to the integration of the SES framework and collective action theory with POS governance studies.

Evaluation of straw and agricultural policy impacts on the sustainability of the straw-based bioeconomy with an agent-based model

The use of straw as feedstock for the bioeconomy constitutes an important opportunity to fulfill the societal demand for biobased products and reduce the externalities incurred in the utilization of non-waste resources and alternative waste management methods. However, the insufficient supply of raw material and high reliance on government support have constrained further expansion of the industry. Additionally, the evaluation of policies is hindered by the complexity of bioeconomy systems, where multiple entities generate patterns that are difficult to analyze with conventional tools. We developed an agent-based model based on the Social-Ecological Systems framework and mixed methods to analyze the effect of various straw and agricultural policy scenarios on farmers, straw operators, and industrial plants, and their subsequent impacts on the socioeconomic and environmental outcomes of the straw-based industry. The results indicate that the combined use of straw retention and straw collection methods achieves optimal outcomes for sustainability, and that further adoption of straw collection in the study area can be facilitated by policies targeted towards farmer awareness, efficiency of operations, and market demand. The analysis also shows that policy strategies have a considerable influence over the distribution of economic value among stakeholders. Finally, this study demonstrates the usefulness of this modeling approach for the analysis of bioeconomy systems with multiple stakeholders, policy measures, and sustainability goals. Overall, these finding illustrate the implications of different policy and straw management approaches for the straw-based industry, and provide a useful guideline for the modeling of circular bioeconomy systems in China and elsewhere.

A meta‐analysis of SES framework case studies: Identifying dyad and triad archetypes

Abstract There is a need to synthesize the vast amount of empirical case study research on social‐ecological systems (SES) to advance theory. Innovative methods are needed to identify patterns of system interactions and outcomes at different levels of abstraction. Many identifiable patterns may only be relevant to small sets of cases, a sector or regional context, and some more broadly. Theory needs to match these levels while still retaining enough details to inform context‐specific governance. Archetype analysis offers concepts and methods for synthesizing and explaining patterns of interactions across cases. At the most basic level, there is a need to identify two and three independent variable groupings (i.e. dyads and triads) as a starting point for archetype identification (i.e. as theoretical building blocks). The causal explanations of dyads and triads are easier to understand than larger models, and once identified, can be used as building blocks to construct or explain larger theoretical models. We analyse the recurrence of independent variable interactions across 71 quantitative SES models generated from qualitative case study research applying Ostrom's SES framework and examine their relationships to specific outcomes (positive or negative, social or ecological). We use hierarchical clustering, principal component analysis and network analysis tools to identify the frequency and recurrence of dyads and triads across models of different sizes and outcome groups. We also measure the novelty of model composition as models get larger. We support our quantitative model findings with illustrative visual and narrative examples in four case study boxes covering deforestation in Indonesia, pollution in the Rhine River, fisheries management in Chile and renewable wind energy management in Belgium. Findings indicate which pairs of two (dyads) and three (triads) variables are most frequently linked to either positive or negative, social or ecological outcomes. We show which pairs account for most of the variation of interactions across all the models (i.e. the optimal suite). Both the most frequent and optimal suite sets are good starting points for assessing how dyads and triads can fulfil the role of explanatory archetype candidates. We further discuss challenges and opportunities for future SES modelling and synthesis research using archetype analysis. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.

“It’s a Long Way from Here”: Mapping Rural-Serving Community College Educators’ Work Across Landscapes of Practice

ABSTRACT Rural-serving community colleges (RSCCs) play vital roles in their communities yet often struggle to facilitate student transfer to further education, especially in STEM fields. This mixed methods study explored how rural STEM educators leverage relationships to support transfer. Social network analysis of focus groups with 36 educators at five rural colleges revealed interconnected webs of statewide ties. Network maps illuminated diverse connections bridged to expand possibilities, though each college manifested unique relational patterns. The structural analysis identified dynamics like strained administration ties and program silos contributing to isolation. Highly networked “systems conveners” modeled boundary-crossing, forming expansive links to resources. These findings align with social learning and ecological systems frameworks situating learning within complex environments. Fostering inclusive educator networks through targeted funding, communication, consortiums, and spotlighting systems thinkers may strengthen ties and mitigate barriers. This study directs nurturing networked ecosystems to empower equity in rural STEM education.

Archetypes of community-based pond aquaculture in Indonesia: applying the social-ecological systems framework to examine sustainability tradeoffs

We analyze archetypes of farmer groups conducting pond aquaculture across the province of Nusa Tenggara Barat, Indonesia using Ostrom’s social-ecological systems framework. Pond aquaculture farmers share coastal irrigation infrastructure as common property, among other resources, and are encouraged by the government to organize into groups with varying sets of evolved rules, norms, social practices and environmental conditions shaping what they produce, how and how much. Yet little is known about the diversity of these pond aquaculture communities, or what factors—both social and ecological—shape production trends and sustainability outcomes. We designed a standardized survey to collect data on 26 indicators from 85 diverse community-based fish farmer groups across the province. Data included indicators on ownership, rules, history, production trends, demographics, government involvement, livelihood dependence, environmental characteristics and risks. Clustering analysis was applied to identify five unique archetypes of pond aquaculture communities, each distinguished by a different set of development challenges and opportunities. Our findings highlight the need to move beyond a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy approach. We suggest moving towards a locally adapted capacity building strategy that can recognize contextual needs so that policy programs can better target and differentiate between farmer groups that face similar challenges. We further discuss how empowering collective action among the farmers can reduce risks associated with producing blue food for local consumption and regional markets.

Analyzing the policy-driven adaptation of Important Agriculture Heritage Systems to modernization from the resilience perspective: a case study of Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System, China

Formulating effective conservation and management policies plays a key role in helping Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (IAHS) cope with the threats and challenges brought by modernization. An important criterion to measure their effectiveness is whether they maintain or enhance the resilience of IAHS. In this study, we first integrate IAHS resilience into the social-ecological systems (SES) framework and propose a SES-based analytical framework for IAHS resilience, which helps analyze how IAHS adapt to external disturbances under the drivers of policies. Then, we suggest the trade-off of ecosystem services as the surrogate of IAHS resilience and use the carbon footprint per unit output value as an indicator to quantify IAHS resilience. The application in Qingtian Rice-Fish Culture System (QRFCS) reveals that the rice-fish culture systems in three villages have formed different development models driven by different conservation and management policies when challenged by modernization, and have displayed different resilience in different development models. The development model centering on enlarged-scale fish farming in Xinpeng Village has shown the highest resilience; the development model with a combination of moderate-scale land management and experiential heritage tourism in Longxian Village has displayed a moderate resilience; and the development model with organic rice-fish culture integrated into terrace sightseeing tourism in Xiaozhoushan Village has shown the lowest resilience. Based on this, we put forward suggestions for maintaining and enhancing the resilience of QRFCS, so as to improve the management of the heritage system. We present that the results will not only enrich the resilience study of SES, but also promote IAHS management and regional sustainable development.

Community forestry in a changing context: A perspective from Nepal’s mid-hill

Community forestry (CF) is one of the major forest management modalities in the world. A growing body of literature documents various outcomes and interactions of people with CF, but limited studies have assessed the mode of forest-people interaction considering changing socio-economic and environmental contexts by employing a broader theoretical framework. Our study employed Ostrom’s social-ecological system (SES) framework accompanied by a meta-synthesis of peer-reviewed literature (n = 74), review of policy documents and census reports (n = 28), interviews with four stakeholder groups (n = 47) and group discussions with district-level forest user groups (n = 20), to explore the changed context in Nepal’s mid-hills since 1990 s. The study revealed transformational changes in socio-economic and environmental contexts of Nepal’s mid-hills compared to the conditions in which the CF was developed during 1990 s. Changes in the forces (or factors) of SES, including demography, socio-economic development, government policy and environmental discourse are so pronounced that its feedback to the social-ecological system is discernible. For example, the evolving dynamics have changed the mode of forest-people interaction and their relationship by altering land use practices, resource use patterns, farm-forestry linkage, and pool of human resources, which is reflected in diminishing participation, social capital, collective action, and (voluntary) contribution to CF management. Such (emerging) dynamics in the social-ecological system could further jeopardise CF institutions and their deliberation, weaken the forest-food security nexus, augment leadership gaps in forest management, and impede the country’s efforts in achieving global climate and development goals. To revitalize CF in this changing context, we suggest that community forests should be managed in three different models: urban, protection and production by putting payment of ecosystem services in place. As Nepal is a global leader in CF and its policies are informing forest and land use policies around the world, the outcomes of our study could offer an insight to the decision-makers of other countries for recalibrating land use policies by considering evolving local and global dynamics and their feedback to SES.

Can the Indonesian collective action norm of Gotong-Royong be strengthened with economic incentives? Comparing the implementation of an aquaculture irrigation policy program

The Indonesian multi-level governmental program (PITAP) is a participatory pond irrigation management policy established by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries. It aims to catalyze the rehabilitation of irrigation canals to improve water access for small-scale aquaculture farmers. In PITAP, traditional aquaculture farmers are incentivized with government funding to create community-based co-management groups (POKLINA), to maintain the self-governance of their irrigation canals. The logic of PITAP is to encourage POKLINA farmers to rehabilitate their irrigation canals through subsidized labor payments that are coupled with strengthening the strong cultural norm of mutual assistance (i.e., collective action) within Indonesian society called Gotong-Royong. PITAP aims to revitalize Gotong-Royong through subsidized labor compensation with the hope that when the subsidy program is over, Gotong-Royong will be revitalized without external support. In this study, we compare and analyze four villages on Lombok, Indonesia, that participated in PITAP program in 2020 and 2021. The study is supported with empirical data using various qualitative data collection methods, including interviews, participant observations, and the collection of policy documents. We further use the Social-Ecological System Framework (SESF) as a diagnostic tool to structure the data collection process and analysis. Findings indicate that different variables hinder and enable collective action in the four villages, leading to different PITAP program outcomes. The likely reason for this, suggested by our findings, is that each village has different social and ecological conditions that influence intrinsic motivation for collective action. PITAP program either crowds out intrinsic motivation under some conditions or crowds it in under others. This suggests the need to consider contextual adaptations in policy design and implementation to improve outcomes better.

The Cornwall Beaver Project: navigating the social-ecological complexity of rewilding as a nature-based solution

The story of the Cornwall Beaver Project is presented as the foundation of a review of the literature to consider the effects of beavers on geomorphological and hydrological processes, habitats, biodiversity, and people in agricultural landscapes in the UK. The review includes a comparison of the principles for rewilding as an approach to ecological restoration with IUCNs principles for Nature-based Solutions together with a summary of beaver reintroduction in Europe, and the impacts of beavers on hydrological and geomorphological processes, biodiversity and the human-wildlife conflict that arises from reintroduction. We note that rewilding principles require a paradigm shift in the relationship between humans and the rest of nature and a corresponding application of systems thinking to research, practice and policy. The combination of experiential and formal knowledge is assessed using a social-ecological systems framework to consider the potential of beavers to mitigate climate change impacts on agricultural landscapes in the UK and how rewilders might navigate the social complexity of beaver reintroduction to achieve large scale system transformation. We discuss the different lines of evidence about the impacts of beavers on landscapes as viewed through a system lens and conclude that: (1) beaver dams have considerable potential to store water but their ability to reduce flood risk is difficult to assess because of the complex interactions between the material available for dam construction, geomorphology, and the duration, extent and intensity of rainfall events; (2) beaver dams, especially when combined with buffer zones along water courses have considerable potential to enhance the resilience of agricultural landscapes and support a shift from intensive to agroecological farming; (3) scaling beaver reintroduction will evolve with the application of policies and practices that enhance the ability of land users to adapt and learn how to coexist with beavers. Our review proposes a low conflict strategy for rewilding with beavers that includes changes from a policy of conflict avoidance to a proactive policy to support practices that apply the tools of social-ecological systems science to the body of knowledge about the interactions between beavers and their environment.

The Role of Social License in Non-Industrial Marine and Coastal Planning: a Scoping Review.

Marine and coastal environments are diverse and dynamic, supporting competing human interests and demands. As society seeks to balance contested uses of space, more holistic planning processes have emerged, which consider social, economic, and ecological factors. One approach that considers social factors, and more specifically social acceptance, is "social license to operate" (SLO). Originating in the terrestrial mining industry, SLO has been adopted by various marine industries. Except for some emerging work in the conservation field, SLO is typically applied to industrial marine and coastal contexts. To understand SLO's uses in other marine and coastal planning contexts, namely conservation, adaptation, and restoration, we conducted a scoping review using the term SLO and similar concepts, including public or social acceptance, support, and buy-in. Results indicate the concept of SLO is still emerging in non-industrial marine and coastal planning, with an emphasis on gaining public acceptance rather than maintaining it. The concept of SLO was applied broadly, including as a measurement for public support and a product of effective engagement. Most publications focused on barriers and drivers of SLO. Influential factors are identified and organized by theme, then discussed based on their relationships within a social-ecological system framework. Considering the common factors and their associated systems helps to link elements necessary to obtain SLO, highlighting their interconnectedness with each other, society, and the natural environment. The findings of this review illustrate SLO's utility for academics and practitioners alike, through its application in methods, tools, values, and concepts that characterize public inclusion for marine and coastal planning.

Regional complex system simulation optimization through linking governance and environment performance: A case study of water environmental carrying capacity based on the SDES model

The resolution of issues related to sustainable development in regions and urbans is closely related to the complex systems, which lie not only in the numerous subsystems and spatial hierarchy, but also in the complex relationships between humans, socioeconomic, environmental and governance.The system dynamics (SD) model has been widely used in modeling regional and urban complex systems which involve multi-dimensional socio-economic and environmental issues. However, most simulations have focused on the state variables, such as the end-state social-economic and environmental situation, while the interaction between governance and their consequences on complex systems has been scarce. In addition, the social-ecological system (SES) framework has been endorsed worldwide because of its ability to explicitly recognize the complex interactions among socioeconomic-ecological-governance subsystems. To date, there have been few studies that combine the SES framework and complex systems models to quantitatively simulate the environmental performance of governance. In this research, we try to fill this gap by combining both to create a SDES model to quantitatively simulate the impacts of stakeholders' actions on environmental performance, and the feasibility of SDES model is verified by simulating the impacts of stakeholders' actions on water environment carrying capacity (WECC) in Liyang City, China. Moreover, we establish a cost-benefit analytical framework to identify the most cost-effective action to improve WECC based on the SDES model. Findings of this research contribute new theoretical and methodological insights into addressing environmental issues while we are facing a more complex regional and urban system and fragmented governance.

Understanding and evaluating the resilience of rural human settlements with a social-ecological system framework: The case of Chongqing Municipality, China

The remediation of rural human settlements is receiving increasing attention in contemporary China. Evaluating the resilience of rural human settlements and formulating site-specific remediation strategies are crucial for realizing China's rural revitalization goals. Based on the social-ecological system (SES) theory, this study establishes a theoretical framework for understanding the resilience of rural human settlements. Building upon this framework, an index system for assessing the resilience is constructed across three dimensions: the resource subsystem, the actor subsystem, and the governance subsystem. The study then analyzes the resilience level of rural human settlements and the interactions among these subsystems, using Chongqing Municipality as an example. The main study conclusions are as follows. First, the resilience index of rural human settlements in Chongqing exhibits spatial heterogeneity and imbalances among subsystems. Specifically, the average resilience index of the resource subsystem is lower than that of other subsystems and there is noticeable spatial heterogeneity in resilience indices among different counties. Second, resilience in rural human settlements is a complex outcome resulting from interactions among multiple subsystems within the SES. These subsystems interact through a two-factor enhancement and non-linear enhancement relationship. Third, the main barriers to the resilience in rural human settlements in Chongqing are related to the resource subsystem, particularly per capita wetland resources, followed by challenges within the governance and actor subsystem, such as rural population density. Fourth, the SES theory can better guide the resilience evaluation of rural human settlements. To improve that resilience, we recommend adopting a systemism perspective, treating rural human settlements as SES entities, and paying attention to the important role of rural inhabitants as the main body of environmental governance. Additionally, tailored environmental governance measures should be developed based on the resilience characteristics and interactions between the subsystems. The research results expand the application field of SES theory and provide novel insights and valuable theoretical guidance for studying the resilience of rural human settlements.

Preface

The development of aquatic resource science and management has grown rapidly in the last decade, both in the context of biology, ecology, and the management of the resources in them. Trends and scientific status of aquatic resources need to be well understood as a benchmark for scientific development and responding to future challenges. Thus, scientific forums are urgently needed to mutually discuss achievements and important issues in the science and management of aquatic resources.The Department of Aquatic Resources Management (ARM), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FFMS), IPB University took the initiative to provide the needed discussion space by holding the 2nd International Symposium on Aquatic Sciences and Resources Management – Highland to Ocean, which is then abbreviated as 2nd ISASRM H2O 2022, which takes the general theme, namely Biology, Ecology and Resources Management. As the activity of the second international symposium on the sciences and management of aquatic resources in Indonesia, the sub-themes raised from the international symposium included: aquatic biology and ecology; aquatic environment, ecosystem, and conservation; aquatic endangered, protected, invasive alien and exotic species, miscellaneous; integrated inland waters and coastal management; fisheries management; social-ecological system framework for aquatic resources management; aquatic bioprospecting; and aquatic natural products. Sub-themes can accommodate all the scientific focus of science and management of aquatic resources from upstream to downstream and contribute to scientists, researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders, both direct beneficiaries of aquatic resources, managers of aquatic resources, and processors of aquatic resource products. In addition, this activity is also expected to assist the government in responding to the challenges of managing water resources in the future and realizing sustainable integrated management dan sustainable development goals.Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic, the Indonesian government still restricts travel, and meetings in large numbers, so the 2nd ISARM was held virtually using the Zoom platform organized at the Department of ARM, FFMS, IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia on August 23-24, 2022. Virtual conferences are able to increase wider reach. However, time differences are challenging, and discussion interactions are not optimal. Hopefully, we can meet directly at another international conference at IPB University, Bogor, Indonesia.The symposium was attended by 72 oral presenters and 14 poster presenters. Presenters come from at least seven countries: Indonesia, China, Philippines, Turkey, United Kingdom, Norway, and Australia. The total participants of this activity were 166 participants, both national and international. The 2nd ISARM also presented five speakers from various scientific fields, including the Management Program of Coral Reef in Indonesia by Dr. Sri Yanti, MPM from Fisheries and Marine Directory BAPPENAS, Republic of Indonesia; Coastal and Marine Resources Conservation and Management By Dr. Ruby Castrence-Gonzales from Mindanao State University Naawan, Philippines; Exploring Drug Repurposing for the Treatment of Aquatic Diseases by Prof. Dr. Mohd Shahir Shamsir Omar from UTHM Deputy Vice Chancellor, Malaysia; Coastal Watershed Ecological Processes, Modeling, and Management by Prof. Jinliang Huang from Xiamen University, China; and The Negative Impact of The Alien Freshwater Crayfish Invading Indonesia and Sustainable Fisheries Development of Native Crayfish in Indonesia by Dr. Tadashi Kawai from Immediately Past President of the International Association of Astacology Hokkaido Research Organization, Japan. The oral and poster presentations also discuss the issues and challenges for aquatic ecosystems, which are closely related to anthropogenic activities as driving factors. Everything is connected from the highlands to the ocean. Despite all the challenges, we, as scientists, still have a chance to do research towards the sustainable development of aquatic resources management. Moreover, make a better world.Many new ideas, insights, methodologies, and state-of-the-art science can be studied and adopted to improve our work in this important area further. There have been many interesting and useful presentations in plenary and interactive sessions. Many good experiences have been shared and lessons learned, including in the aspects of biology and ecology and managing resources from the highland to the ocean.We would like to take this opportunity to thank all partners, namely the Department of Aquatic Resources Management (ARM IPB University), Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (FFMS IPB University), Center for Coastal and Marine Resources Studies (PKSPL IPB University), International Collaboration Office (ICO IPB University), Fisheries and Marine Directory BAPPENAS Republic of Indonesia, and Indonesia Climate Change Trust Fund (ICCTF) with the Coral Reef Rehabilitation and Management Program – Coral Triangle Initiative (COREMAP-CTI), for financial support and collaboration. Also, we would like to thank all the speakers, reviewers, and the committee for organizing this event and ensuring it runs smoothly.List of Editorial team, Organizing Committees are available in the pdf.

Motivation, robustness and benefits of water commons: Insights from small drinking water supply systems

The article addresses the governance of water commons with an emphasis on drinking water. The study applied two conceptual frameworks: Ostrom's Design Principles and the Social-Ecological Systems framework. The empirical part refers to two water commons in Slovenia and is based on qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with locals and professionals. The article follows three objectives: 1) to identify the drivers and motivations for successful local water governance; 2) to assess the robustness of water commons in terms of current and future challenges; 3) to identify the benefits of water commons. The key elements for the functioning of the two local communities under examination are shared interests, as well as a strong commitment to effective management. In addition to the material benefits (i.e. drinking water supply), non-material ones are also important. Community building and identity are particularly noteworthy. The importance of small drinking water supply systems that are well organised and responsibly governed as commons is beneficial not only to a municipality but also to a country.