| Variable Type | Ordinal |
|---|---|
| Variable Component Type | Actor |
| Variable Kind | Interaction |
| Theme | Knowledge and uncertainty (learn about themes) |
| Projects | SESMAD |
| Question | What is the level of scientific knowledge this actor group has regarding the condition of this environmental commons? |
| Select Options | 1 Low, 2 Medium, 3 High |
| Unit | |
| Role | |
| Importance | Knowledge of resource conditions is widely believed to be a requirement for sustainable management - i.e. if you don't know how the resources are doing, you cannot change management practices in response to changing resource conditions. Many presume that this knowledge must be based on systematic scientific monitoring (although others argue that local or traditional knowledge may also be important). |
| Definition | Scientific knowledge refers to systematized knowledge based on systematic inquiry. Generally, scientific knowledge refers to knowledge available in peer-reviewed publications or other highly reputable sources (e.g. such as some government reports), produced by scientists with formal training. High: the condition of the resource is understood with a high degree of confidence by this actor group based on scientific information. Low: This actor group has little or no scientific information about the resource (e.g., no or very few studies have been done to ascertain the condition of the resource). |
| Sectors |
Theory Usages
| Theory | Value Used |
|---|---|
| Social memory and general resilience | Medium or High |
| Conditions for general resilience | Medium or High |
| Uncertainty and depletion of natural resources | Low |
| Numeric management | High |
| Individual transferable quotas (ITQs) | High |
Associated Studies
Case Usages
| Case | Interaction Type | Component | Value Used | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Indonesian "Adat" Communities | Low (1) | This group does not have scientific knowledge |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Large Extractive Industries in Indonesia | Low (1) | This actor group does not seem to have pursued scientific knowledge of the commons. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | "New Order" Indonesian Central Government (1965-1998) | Low (1) | There was little scientific knowledge of the system in this period. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Indonesian "Adat" Communities | Low (1) | This group is not generally engaged with science. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Large Extractive Industries in Indonesia | Low (1) | This group does not possess very much scientific knowledge about this resource. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Civil society organizations in Indonesia | Medium (2) | This group has some scientific knowledge of the resource, but in general scientific knowledge of this resource is limited. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | "Reformasi" Indonesian Central Government (1998-2012) | Medium (2) | There is a modest amount of scientific knowledge about this system. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Indonesian Local entrepreneurs | Low (1) | this group is not engaged with science. |
| Forests in Indonesia | Governance | Indonesian District Governments | Low (1) | |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | California Academic Researchers | High (3) | Researchers are held to high standards and research is peer-reviewed. |
| Seaflower MPA | Governance | Seaflower artisanal fishers | Medium (2) | Some members of this actor group participate in environmental monitoring and have access to scientific data. |
| Seaflower MPA | Governance | CORALINA | Medium (2) | They do resource surveys/monitoring from time to time |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR fisheries managers | High (3) | |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Contracting Parties | Medium (2) | |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Contracting Parties | Medium (2) | Scientific knowledge is highly contested. |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Contracting Parties | Medium (2) | |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Western Members | Medium (2) | |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Eastern Members | Medium (2) | |
| Montreal Protocol | Governance | Ozone Secretariat | High (3) | |
| Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) | Governance | ICCAT Eastern Members | Medium (2) | |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | California Groundfish Fishermen | Medium (2) | Many fishermen point to scientific findings, and have an understanding of the science behind regulation decisions. The fishermen's association uses science in their publications as well. Some fishermen perceive stocks to be much better than scientific surveys indicate. |
| Montreal Protocol | Governance | Ozone Nation States | High (3) | |
| Montreal Protocol | Governance | Ozone Depleting Substance Industrial Producers | High (3) | |
| International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) | Governance | ICPR nations (1976-1986) | ||
| International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) | Governance | Rhine chemical firms | High (3) | The monitoring system was one of the main achievements of the early ICPR |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR government co-managers | High (3) | Many managers are highly educated, and the management agencies have partnerships with universities to better understand the condition of coral reefs |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR recreational fishers | Medium (2) | |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR government co-managers | High (3) | Many managers are highly educated, and the management agencies have partnerships with universities to better understand the condition of coral reefs |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR recreational fishers | Medium (2) | |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR commercial fishers | Medium (2) | Scientific knowledge is widely available and the actor group is relatively well-informed. |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR commercial fishers | Medium (2) | |
| Montreal Protocol | Governance | Ozone Depleting Substance Industrial Producers | Low (1) | |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | California Academic Researchers | High (3) | Researchers are held to high standards and research is peer-reviewed. |
| Montreal Protocol | Governance | Ozone Nation States | Low (1) | |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Artisan Fishermen | Low (1) | Likely low scientific knowledge, most poor and have recently migrated to the Galapagos. |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Australian Toothfish Fishers | Medium (2) | Scientific knowledge is generally good; but uncertainties remain. |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi managers | High (3) | High levels of scientific knowledge developed through monitoring and research (particularly through NGO involvement) - e.g. knowledge of species growth rates and morphology; coral cover; recruitment; sediment impacts etc |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi managers | Medium (2) | Good knowledge of where and when they nest, but less scientific knowledge of the migratory routes of turtles outside of the wakatobi MPA |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi managers | High (3) | High levels of scientific knowledge developed through monitoring and research (involvement of NGOs) |
| Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Marine National Monument | Governance | NWHI Monument Co-Trusteeship | High (3) | high scientific knowledge because of involvement of scientific organisations - NOAA, USFWS |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | GMR managers | High (3) | High scientific representation on the board through CDF |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Medium (2) | The AFMA has fairly strong knowledge about the population dynamics of toothfish resources, although important gaps remain. |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | GMR managers | High (3) | Input from Charles Dariwn Foundation (scientific research NGO) - part of PMB until 2008 and then involved through advisory role. |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Tourism Sector | Medium (2) | As all tours need to involve a naturalist guide, assume some scientific knowledge within the group. |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi Bajau fishers | Low (1) | The Bajau generally have low levels of formal educational achievement (Chou 1997) |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | National Marine Sanctuaries Office of NOAA | High (3) | The Sanctuary uses the best available science and takes part in collaborative peer-reviewed research on the humpback whale. |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi Bajau fishers | Low (1) | The Bajau generally have low levels of formal educational achievement (Chou 1997) |
| Wakatobi National Park | Governance | Wakatobi Bajau fishers | Low (1) | The Bajau generally have low levels of formal educational achievement (Chou 1997) |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | GMR managers | High (3) | Input from Charles Dariwn Foundation (scientific research NGO) - part of PMB until 2008 and then involved through advisory role. |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Tourism Sector | Medium (2) | Through their accumulated knowledge of working in the area and involvement of CDF researching sharks they likely have some scientific knowledge and many may be educated naturalists/guides. Dive guides knowledge used to assess perceptions of shark abundance/populations |
| Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Marine National Monument | Governance | NWHI Monument Co-Trusteeship | High (3) | Trusteeship includes scientific organisations, e.g. NOAA |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Macquarie Island Managers | Medium (2) | |
| Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Marine National Monument | Governance | NWHI Monument Co-Trusteeship | High (3) | Includes scientific organisations, e.g. NOAA |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | National Marine Sanctuaries Office of NOAA | High (3) | The Sanctuary is expected to incorporate the best available science. |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | California Sanctuary Recreational Users | Medium (2) | Whale watching boats and kayak companies include educational aspects to use. The Sanctuary provides scientific information to recreational users. However, not all user may know about or use such information. |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Artisanal Fishers | Low (1) | Low formal education so coded as low. But significant training from International NGOs and also some involved in monitoring |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Managers | High (3) | Scientific NGOs included as management actor so assuming they share knowledge high scientific knowledge among the management actor group |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Artisanal Fishers | Low (1) | Generally low formal education so coded as Low, although International NGOs have conducted (and continue) extensive education campaigns in the area. |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Tourism | Medium (2) | |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Artisanal Fishers | Medium (2) | Significant training from International NGOs and also involved in monitoring so assume some level of scientific understanding |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Managers | High (3) | Scientific NGOs included as management actor so assuming they share knowledge high scientific knowledge among the management actor group |
| Raja Ampat (National Act No. 32 2004) | Governance | Raja Ampat Managers | High (3) | Scientific NGOs coded as part of the management actor - assume they share their knowledge |
| Central California National Marine Sanctuaries | Governance | California State and Federal Fisheries Agencies | High (3) | Managers are required to use the best available science in their activities. Scientists at NMFS and CDFW frequently advise the management bodies and conduct research surveys for management purposes. |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Low (1) | AFMA as a participant in various fisheries organizations has invested in the study of seabird bycatch mitigation measures. However, they do not explicitly study the conditions of light mantled albatross themselves. |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Macquarie Island Managers | Medium (2) | Light-mantled albatross have been studied on Macquarie Island and other areas to get a sense of population trends and life history characteristics. Although there are a number of important gaps; groups have some scientific knowledge of the major threats to the species. |
| Seaflower MPA | Governance | Seaflower artisanal fishers | Medium (2) | Some members of this actor group participate in environmental monitoring and have access to scientific data |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Tourism | Low (1) | In terms of the population status of polar bears, this group has low level of scientific knowledge (but overall the level of scientific knowledge is low-moderate). In terms of the behaviour of individual bears, tourism operators have a high degree of knowledge about what signs to look for to gauge a bear’s behaviour (aggressive, curious, complacent, etc). |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Resource Managers | Medium (2) | The group has moderate level of scientific knowledge about the polar bear population status and trends (detailed knowledge simply does not exist). However, the managers are informed on proxies such as cub production, body mass, den distribution, etc. |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR recreational fishers | Medium (2) | |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Charles Darwin Foundation | High (3) | Scientific research NGO - has contributed most of the scientific knowledge on the GMR |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR government co-managers | High (3) | |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers | Low (1) | Basic scientific knowledge on southern right whales is provided to commercial fishers upon approval of their fishing permit. Migratory patterns and impacts of environmental changes on southern right whales are less understood and this type of information is not provided to fishers with their permit. |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Shrimp Fishers | Medium (2) | Most fishermen have reasonably knowledge about the biology of shrimp and other fish. Since they are effectively conducting surveys every time they trawl, they are likely to have a reasonable scientific knowledge of the status of the shrimp population. |
| Cenderwasih National Park | Governance | Cenderwasih fishers | Low (1) | Generally low formal education |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Resource Managers | High (3) | This group conducts their own research and monitoring of the shrimp stocks each year. Supplementing these observations with records from fishing boats about the hours & locations trawled provide good scientific information. |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Resource Managers | High (3) | Population estimates, range extent and breeding patterns are well studied. As are linkages to prey depletion |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Director of National Parks | High (3) | This actor group would have access to available scientific knowledge, including from research institutes (CSIRO), but would also be limited by the current state of knowledge on southern right whales. |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers | Medium (2) | Access to available scientific knowledge on SBT through Convention for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna, which conducts stock assessments. But there remain many gaps in the understanding of their spawning frequency and length, movement and congregation, spatial dynamics and their ecological role. |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Director of National Parks | High (3) | Many managers are highly educated, and the management agencies have partnerships with research institutes. Although, much is still unknown about the SBT: spawning frequency and length, movement and congregation, spatial dynamics and their ecological role. |
| Seaflower MPA | Governance | CORALINA | Medium (2) | They do resource surveys/monitoring from time to time |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Charles Darwin Foundation | High (3) | CDF is an international scientific organization http://www.darwinfoundation.org/en/about-us/ |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR commercial fishers | Not Applicable | |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR government co-managers | High (3) | This group is informed with the latest science of measurements about proxies of the population status (number of nesting females, number of eggs, hatchling success, etc). |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR fisheries managers | High (3) | This group is likely well informed with the latest science of measurements about proxies of the population status (number of nesting females, number of eggs, hatchling success, etc). |
| Macquarie Island Marine Park | Governance | Australian Toothfish Fishers | Low (1) | |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Antarctic Division | Medium (2) | This would be ranked as low to medium. Low based on the lack of recent data (from the last decade) on the status of the light-mantled sooty albatross population at HIMI. But medium based on historic knowledge and trends. |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Low (1) | AFMA has access to the knowledge that is available about light-mantled albatross, but in general, knowledge about their population status and trends is not well known and is outdated in many locations. AFMA does have thorough information on seabird interactions via working with the industry and other organizations (e.g., CCAMLR, Tuna commissions, etc.). |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Toothfish Fishers | Low (1) | There is limited information on light mantled albatross, globally, and even less known about the population at HIMI. |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Antarctic Division | Medium (2) | This would be ranked as low to medium. Low based on the lack of recent data (from the last decade) on the status of the King Penguin population at HIMI. But medium based on historic knowledge and trends. |
| Galapagos Marine Reserve (GMR) | Governance | Galapagos Charles Darwin Foundation | High (3) | Scientific research NGO - has contributed most of the scientific knowledge on the GMR |
| Northwestern Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) Marine National Monument | Governance | NWHI Researchers | High (3) | Scientists |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Toothfish Fishers | Medium (2) | Fishers have scientific knowledge about toothfish, but there remain many gaps in the understanding of their life history, distribution and population dynamics. |
| Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Reserve | Governance | Australian Fisheries Management Authority | Medium (2) | The AFMA has access to the best available knowledge on HIMI toothfish, however significant gaps remain in the knowledge of HIMI toothfish life history, population dynamics, etc. |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Director of National Parks | High (3) | This actor group would have access to available scientific knowledge, including from research institutes (CSIRO), but would also be limited by the current state of knowledge on Australian sea lions |
| Great Australian Bight Marine Park (GABMP) (Commonwealth Waters) | Governance | GABMP (Commonwealth Waters) Commercial Fishers | Low (1) | There is limited knowledge on Australian sea lions and it does not appear this is a priorty species communicated to commerical fishers |
| Svalbard Nature Reserves | Governance | Svalbard Tourism | Medium (2) | Population estimates, range extent and breeding patterns are well studied. As are linkages to prey depletion. It is likley that tourism operators have good knowledge of birds as these are popular viewing species and information will be passed on by the Govenor and through the AECO. |
| Great Barrier Reef Marine Park | Governance | GBR commercial fishers | High (3) | |
| Cenderwasih National Park | Governance | Cenderwasih managers | High (3) | Understanding of species and endemicity improved by expeditions by NGOs, records of reef locations and compositions fairly well documented, but changes over tiem not always reported (at least online). |
| Cenderwasih National Park | Governance | Cenderwasih managers | Medium (2) | Understanding of species and endemicity improved by expeditions by NGOs, but data on compositions, dynamics and changes over time does not appear to be available (at least online). |
| Cenderwasih National Park | Governance | Cenderwasih fishers | Low (1) | Generally low formal education |
| Falkland Islands squid | Governance | Falkland Islands Government (FIG) Fisheries Managers | High (3) | Management is strongly informed by science, managers include peer-reviewed scientists |
| Falkland Islands squid | Governance | Patagonian Squid Trawlers | High (3) | Fishermen work closely with observers and report conditions. Fishing association websites show clear indication in support of best available science. |
| Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governance | Governance | Paquera-Tambor AMPR Costa Rica | Medium (2) | |
| New Zealand squid | Governance | New Zealand Arrow Squid Fishers | Low (1) | Biology of squid less known. Make a lot of assumptions. More scientific knowledge about interactions. |
| New Zealand squid | Governance | New Zealand Fishery Managers | Low (1) | Don't know much about the biological aspect. Know much more about sea lion interaction. Don't know spawning sites, don't know if catching before spawning. A lot of assumptions. Know are two species and general characteristics of species and what depths mostly found at. |
| California squid | Governance | California Department of Fish and Wildlife Market Squid Managers | High (3) | Many managers are Masters of Science or Ph.D.s. Heavily studied fishery after the 1980s boom. |
| California squid | Governance | California market squid fishermen | High (3) | Many are well connected with scientists and reports. While some unknowns exist (where juveniles go), fishers well acquainted with current scientific knowledge. |
| Pond aquaculture on Lombok, Indonesia | Governance | Indonesian Institute of Sciences - LIPI | Medium (2) | |
| Pond aquaculture on Lombok, Indonesia | Governance | Lombok aquaculture farmers | Low (1) | Very low to none. |
| Pond aquaculture on Lombok, Indonesia | Governance | Lombok aquaculture farmers | ||
| Caete-Teperacu Extractive Reserve (RESEX) in Braganca, Brazil | Governance | Association of Users in the Caete-Teperacu RESEX (ASSUREMACATA) in Brazil | Low (1) | |
| Gili Trawangan Coastal Tourism | Governance | SCUBA diving businesses on Gili Trawangan | High (3) | |
| Gili Trawangan Coastal Tourism | Governance | Gili Indah Dive Association (GIDA) | High (3) | |
| Gili Trawangan Coastal Tourism | Governance | Gili Indah Dive Association (GIDA) | Medium (2) | |
| Gili Trawangan Coastal Tourism | Governance | Gili EcoTrust on Gili Trawangan | High (3) | |
| Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governance | Governance | Isla Caballo AMPR Costa Rica | Low (1) | |
| Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica fisheries governance | Governance | Palito-Montero AMPR Costa Rica | Low (1) |