Group size in social-ecological systems

Cooperation becomes more difficult as a group becomes larger, but it is unclear where it will break down. Here, we study group size within well-functioning social-ecological systems. We consider centuries-old evidence from hundreds of communities in the Alps that harvested common property resources. Results show that the average group size remained remarkably stable over about six centuries, in contrast to a general increase in the regional population. The population more than doubled, but although single groups experienced fluctuations over time, the average group size remained stable. Ecological factors, such as managing forest instead of pasture land, played a minor role in determining group size. The evidence instead indicates that factors related to social interactions had a significant role in determining group size. We discuss possible interpretations of the findings based on constraints in individual cognition and obstacles in collective decision making.

Download Full-text

Gone fishing? Intergenerational cultural shifts can undermine common property co-managed fisheries

10.31230/osf.io/tpkdu ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Jordan Tam ◽

Kai M. A. Chan ◽

Terre Satterfield ◽

G.G. Singh ◽

Stefan Gelcich

Keyword(s):

Common Property ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Social Variables ◽

Cultural Changes ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

The Social ◽

Demographic Shifts ◽

Cultural Shifts

Conventional common property thinking assumes that a central goal of management is to maintain social-ecological systems in a healthy and resilient state, including maintaining the ability of communities to harvest across time and generations. Little research has been done, however, on how common property systems are affected by demographic shifts, the social status of emerging livelihoods, and the employment aspirations of users for their offspring. An empirical case study from Chile (well known for its common property fisheries) suggests that major socio-cultural shifts are now occurring, with a lack of entry by new fishers and an aging population of existing ones. These types of social and cultural changes are increasingly common through globalization and worldwide economic development, and pose significant policy challenges across broad classes of common property systems. The Chilean case reveals that community adaptive capacity can come at the expense of social-ecological common property systems, and highlights the need to consider the broader context of ‘slow’ social variables.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of Marine reserves as linked social-ecological systems.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.2998960.2676058 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Ferdinando Boero ◽

Joachim Claudet

Keyword(s):

Marine Reserves ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological

Download Full-text

Systems theories

10.1093/oso/9780198793182.003.0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Marc J. Stern

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Real World ◽

Common Pool Resources ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Effective Governance ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Real World Problem

This chapter covers systems theories relevant to understanding and working to enhance the resilience of social-ecological systems. Social-ecological systems contain natural resources, users of those resources, and the interactions between each. The theories in the chapter share lessons about how to build effective governance structures for common pool resources, how to facilitate the spread of worthwhile ideas across social networks, and how to promote collaboration for greater collective impacts than any one organization alone could achieve. Each theory is summarized succinctly and followed by guidance on how to apply it to real world problem solving.

Download Full-text