Siena Margorian
Masters student | McGill University | Theme 1
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Social ecological systems describe the interdependent and reciprocal relationship between social (ex. institutions, governance, community, etc.) factors and ecosystems. Social ecological fit is the matching between the social dimensions to the ecological needs of a particular ecosystem or phenomenon. The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is ecologically important to many freshwater ecosystems across North America, is traditionally and culturally significant to many Indigenous communities, and elvers (young eel) make up an important fishery in Maritime Canada. The Canadian jurisdiction of the American eel range is especially important for conservation as the eels in the Upper St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario are mostly large females who are the most fecund in the species’ range and therefore contribute substantially to the species-level fecundity.
In my master’s research, I will be conducting a narrative literature review to determine the social ecological fit of American eel conservation and management policy in Canada in six dimensions (social fit, ecological fit, scale fit, spatial fit, vertical fit, and horizontal fit). Moreover, I will be consulting experts working closely on American eel conservation management in Canada to assess what decision actions can enhance the social-ecological fit of the system. |
