Social-ecological systems are complex. But as we discuss in this episode, “complex” does not mean “complicated”! Complexity theory holds that systems that possess certain attributes are “complex”, including a capacity for adaptation, self-organization, an open nature, and the emergence of system traits greater than the sum of its parts. We explain what each of these terms mean, relate complexity theory to social-ecological systems and resilience, and discuss a couple of papers that dive into the relationship between complexity and social-ecological systems.
Funding support from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Center for Great Plains Studies, https://www.unl.edu/plains/welcome
Contact Us: whrapodcast@gmail.com
Council for Resilience Education website: cre.unl.edu
References:
Flyn, C. 2021, Jan. 24. As birth rates fall, animals prowl in our abandoned ‘ghost villages’. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/24/as-birth-rates-fall-animals-prowl-in-our-abandoned-ghost-villages
Klampe, M. 2021, Jan. 5. Use of ocean resources changed as Dungeness crab fishing industry adapted to climate shock event. Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2021-01-ocean-resources-dungeness-crab-fishing.html
Levin, A. 1999. Ecosystems and the biosphere as complex adaptive systems. Ecosystems, 1, 431-436.
Preiser, R., Biggs, R., De Vos, A., and Folke, C. 2018. Social-ecological systems as complex adaptive systems: organizing principles for advancing research methods and approaches. Ecology and Society, 23(4), 46.
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