Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity | Video on TED.com

Eric Berlow: How complexity leads to simplicity | Video on TED.com: "Ecologist Eric Berlow doesn't feel overwhelmed when faced with complex systems. He knows that more information can lead to a better, simpler solution. Illustrating the tips and tricks for breaking down big issues, he distills an overwhelming infographic on U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to a few elementary points."

Interdisciplinary knowledge integration through group model building: recognizing dualities and triadizing the conversation

ScienceDirect - Environmental Science & Policy : Interdisciplinary knowledge integration through group model building: recognizing dualities and triadizing the conversation

As part of the inquiry into managing an interdisciplinary research process on adaptive water governance, we investigated the process of group model building (GMB) and, more specifically, the role of Unified Modeling Language (UML) in this process. An analysis of group interaction reveals several tensions in the process of knowledge integration, which can be grouped into three overarching dualities: ‘simplicity versus complexity’, ‘constraining versus containing’ and ‘defining versus refining’. As group members take different positions with regard to these dualities, these represent sources of tension and potential ‘stuckness’ of the GMB. Hence the question arises how the group can manage duality in ways that take the GMB beyond its opposing forces. We suggest that knowledge integration processes may benefit from early recognition of the dualities at hand and strategies aimed at creating ‘thirdness’, including some suggestions on the concrete forms such ‘thirdness’ may take

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Modeling as persuasion: the impact of group model building on attitudes and behavior - Rouwette - 2010 - System Dynamics Review - Wiley Online Library

Modeling as persuasion: the impact of group model building on attitudes and behavior - Rouwette - 2010 - System Dynamics Review - Wiley Online Library: "Client involvement in modeling is expected to change mental models and thereby foster implementation of conclusions. Leading authors have pointed out that a lack of knowledge on the crucial elements of modeling interventions hinders accumulation of research results. There is no clear evidence for the effectiveness of group model building, and a conceptual model linking elements of the modeling process to goals is missing. We propose an integrative conceptual model, drawing on theories of persuasion (mental model change) and the influence of beliefs, attitudes, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on actions. Our study builds on standard operationalizations and a body of research in social psychology."

Regional Index of Ecological Integrity: A need for sustainable management of natural resources

ScienceDirect - Ecological Indicators : Regional Index of Ecological Integrity: A need for sustainable management of natural resources

An ecosystem is a complex composition of physical, chemical and biological components. This complex system remains in a healthy state if the system can maintain the ecological equilibrium among its components. Anthropogenic disturbances are the prime stressors that affect this equilibrium through creating fragmentation, ecosystem sensitivity, loosening landscape connectivity and disrupting ecological integrity. As different types of ecosystem are interconnected, a comprehensive monitoring and evaluating criteria is needed for measuring its integrity at regional level for conservation planning. A Regional Index of Ecological Integrity can be a suitable approach for sustainable management of regional ecosystem.

Linking modelling, monitoring and management: an integrated approach to controlling overabundant wildlife - Chee - 2010 - Journal of Applied Ecology - Wiley Online Library

Linking modelling, monitoring and management: an integrated approach to controlling overabundant wildlife - Chee - 2010 - Journal of Applied Ecology - Wiley Online Library: "We provide a general and flexible framework for integrated monitoring and culling when the objective is to keep a species’ abundance within control limits. Our framework explicitly deals with uncertainty arising from demographic stochasticity, ecological complexity and lack of knowledge, and provides the foundation for maximizing efficiency and cost-effectiveness of control operations. Our approach could be applied in any instances where control is effected via culling."

ScienceDirect - Ecological Indicators : Modelling land use change impacts for sustainability assessment

ScienceDirect - Ecological Indicators : Modelling land use change impacts for sustainability assessment

Impact assessments usually rely on the DPSIR framework, a framework which assumes a chain of causal links starting with Driving forces(economic activities such as transport or agriculture) through Pressures (e.g. land use change) that impinge upon the States of sensitive receptors. The changes in these states, i.e. the Impacts eventually stimulate political or technological Responses (OECD, 1993). There have been attempts to assess land use change impacts at large scale, mainly for environmental impacts ([EEA, 1999] and [Millennium Ecosystem Assessment, 2003]), yet, such assessments have initially been tackled only in a qualitative manner as scenarios for future land use at large scale were lacking (Petit et al., 2001). This gap has been partly addressed in the recent years through various research projects ranging from the development of scenario narratives (Hoogeven and Ribeiro, 2007), the downscaling of global change scenarios (Rounsevell et al., 2006) and the design of rule-based land use change models driven by environmental and socio-economic factors (Verburg et al., 2006).