Conditions for general resilience

Variable relationship:

Carpenter et al. (2012) outline the key conditions or principles associated with general resilience to extreme events (Diversity; Modularity; Openness; Reserves; Feedbacks; Nestedness; Monitoring; Leadership; Trust). General resilience is "the capacity of social-ecological systems to adapt or transform in response to unfamiliar, unexpected or extreme shocks" (Carpenter et al. 2012: 3249). Such shocks are often outside the scope of recent experience. We use these principles to specify a theory of Conditions for general resilience, as follows:

Diversity increases the chances that components of a SES with similar functions have different responses to disturbance so that underlying function is preserved. Carpenter et al (2012) argue that social diversity (Cultural Heterogeneity and Interest Heterogeneity) promotes problem solving (Actor Adaptive Capacity) which allows actors to adapt their behaviors to enhance resilience (Ecological Resilience) and maintain the existing system configuration (Basin Switch).  

Another dimension of Diversity is outlined by Holling and Meffe (1996) who highlight that conventional forms of management that aim for a narrow set of objectives (Low Metric Diversity) typically related to production or efficiency rather than diversity can inadvertently lead to a loss of functional response diversity (Biodiversity) in the ecosystem underpinning SES (Ecological Resilience and Basin Switch).

Modularity and Openness refer to two scales of connectivity. Modularity relates to connectivity within the SES (Internal Ecological Connectivity). Openness refers to connectivity between the SES and other SES (External Ecological Connectivity). Connectivity and modularity are essentially opposites. Connectivity can enhance resilience by facilitating recovery and renewal in systems, for instance through connections between habitats. Over-connectivity can, however, mean that disturbance events cascade rapidly through a system causing system collapse. Some degree of modularity to "contain disturbances by compartmentalizing social-ecological systems" is beneficial for resilience.

Reserves "of organisms, knowledge or skills" contribute to recovery from disturbance (Carpenter et al. 2012). Reserves represent the ecological (Actor Scientific Knowledge) and social memory (Actor Traditional Knowledge) that promotes recovery, adaptation (Actor Adaptative Capacity) and resilience (Ecological Resilience) to maintain the existing system configuration (Basin Switch).  

Feedbacks between the social and ecological sub-systems, such as clear consequences for decisions, (Commons Feedback Speed Use; Commons Feedback Speed Visibility) are integral to the success of adaptively managing (Actor Adaptive Capacity) for resilience (Ecological Resilience) to maintain the existing system configuration (Basin Switch).  

Nestedness of SES is described by Carpenter et al. (2012) as "multiple management systems (Co-ordinated Multi-level Governance; Institutional Diversity) scaled appropriately for the problems they are aiming to solve (Nestedness governance theory)".

Monitoring (Environmental Monitoring) provides transparent and relevant information about the status and trends of SES (Commons Condition Trend). Monitoring can bolster social memory and feedbacks, and provide early warning signals of approaching thresholds or imminent disturbance events.

Key individuals (Leadership; Leadership Accountability; Leadership Authority) develop shared visions, build trust (Actor Group Trust) and connect social networks to guide governance trajectories. In addition, trust built through repeated interactions among people (Past Collaboration) can protect against incentives to cheat or co-opt agreements and actions. Both Leadership and Trust are, together, are associated with co-operation, self-organisation and adaptation (Collective Action; Actor Adaptive Capacity) (Carpenter et al. 2012).

Project

SESMAD

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Scientific Field

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Public