Developing conservation targets in social-ecological systems

A 2015 paper in the journal Ecology and Society looks at interdisciplinary approaches to developing conservation targets in Puget Sound. 

A social norm curve showing desirability of seven development scenarios (and associated changes in eelgrass) on a Likert scale from –2 (completely unacceptable) to +2, (optimal state). The line depicts the average desirability of each scenario; the colors show the frequency distribution of responses to each scenario. (From Fig. 4 in the article.)
A social norm curve showing desirability of seven development scenarios (and associated changes in eelgrass) on a Likert scale from –2 (completely unacceptable) to +2, (optimal state). The line depicts the average desirability of each scenario; the colors show the frequency distribution of responses to each scenario. (From Fig. 4 in the article.)

Abstract

The development of targets is foundational in conservation. Although progress has been made in setting targets, the diverse linkages among ecological and social components make target setting for coupled social-ecological systems extremely challenging. Developing integrated social-ecological targets is difficult because it forces policy makers to consider how management actions propagate throughout social-ecological systems, and because ultimately it is society, not scientists, that defines targets. We developed an interdisciplinary approach for identifying management targets and illustrate this approach using an example motivated by Puget Sound, USA. Our approach blends ecological modeling with empirical social science to articulate trade-offs and reveal societal preferences for different social-ecological states. The framework aims to place information in the hands of decision makers and promote discussion in the appropriate forums. Our ultimate objective is to encourage the informed participation of citizens in the development of social-ecological targets that reflect their values while also protecting key ecosystem attributes.

Citation

Levin, P. S., G. D. Williams, A. Rehr, K. C. Norman, and C. J. Harvey. 2015. Developing conservation targets in social-ecological systems. Ecology and Society 20(4):6. http://dx.doi.org/10.5751/ES-07866-200406

Download full paper (open access)

 

About the Author: 
Phillip S. Levin 1, Gregory D. Williams 2,3, Amanda Rehr 1, Karma C. Norman 1, Chris J. Harvey 4: 1NOAA Fisheries, Northwest Fisheries Science Center, 2Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, 3Northwest Fisheries Science Center, NMFS, NOAA, 4National Marine Fisheries Service