Socio-Ecological Systems: Core Concepts Flashcards
Define a Socio-Ecological System:
A bounded, self-maintaining system of varied, living & non-living, interacting parts
What is a S-E approach?
To dissect local or regional system structure and components to identify their interactions with larger ecological and social systems
(i.e. surrounding biosphere or societies
What are some core characteristics of a S-E approach?
- Describing system dynamics
- Defining an ecosystem
- Using flexible research and planning process.
- Recognizing limits to actions.
What are 3 advantages of a S-E approach?
- Holistic approach for understanding whole systems.
- Encourage preventative thinking by putting people with nature.
- Contributes to understanding limits, complexity, stresses.
What are 3 disadvantages to S-E approaches?
- May neglect sociocultural issues (I.e., politics, power and equity)
- Nonstandard definition of ‘ecosystem’
- If ecosystem approaches can apply to everything, they’re meaningless.
Wha are the 3 boundaries within a S-E system?
- System / subsystem
- Environment
- Universe
Why is it important to set boundaries in a S-E system?
Because delineating boundaries for systems is often arbitrary and artificial.
What is the role of the environment boundary within a S-E system?
The system’s environment provides the context for the system; the environment is whatever is not in our system.
How does the system / subsystem boundary differ from the environment boundary?
By setting the system boundaries we establish the system of interest. It is a way to guide our thinking in order to develop understanding.
Where can a S-E system be implemented?
You can focus on a region, resource, or an environmental issue
What are the two ways of setting system boundaries?
Spatial and Temporal
What are the two main components within a S-E system?
Social System and Ecological System
_________ issue is fundamental to S-E thinking.
Scale
Define Scale:
The spatial or temporal dimension of an object or process.
How can scale affect analysis?
Because it all depends on how you look at it.