OVERVIEW
The overarching goal of this theme is to develop a novel decision-support system designed to manage ecosystem services in working landscapes by explicitly taking into account ecosystem services trade-offs. We do so by mapping mental models and social-ecological relationships, developing scenarios of plausible futures amid trade-offs, and by focusing on social learning and leverage points to develop shared theories of change.
CHALLENGES FACING THE DEVELOPMENT OF DECISION SUPPORT TOOLS
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KEY CONCEPTS
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Theme 1 is designed to work with and across the 6 landscapes to develop a novel decision-support system to improve management of ecosystem services by explicitly taking into account ecosystem services trade-offs by drawing on theories of change and considering potential leverage points. We will train Post-doctoral Fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. Further, we will produce several scholarly papers focused on: generalized theories of change and participatory processes for ecosystem services management; collaboration in ecosystem services management; scenario development in working landscapes; key trade-offs in ecosystem services management; and, integrating social learning, leverage points and decision-support systems to enhance the management of ecosystem services on working landscapes.
- Leverage points: places in the system that hold the potential for large system-level change with a relatively small intervention
- Theories of change: shared 'roadmaps' of actions needed to realize system change
- Social learning: changes in what we know, our norms and values and our relationships through social processes that become situated in society
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE
- Develop a novel decision-support system designed to manage ecosystem services in working landscapes by explicitly taking into account ecosystem services trade-offs.
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
Theme 1 is designed to work with and across the 6 landscapes to develop a novel decision-support system to improve management of ecosystem services by explicitly taking into account ecosystem services trade-offs by drawing on theories of change and considering potential leverage points. We will train Post-doctoral Fellows, graduate and undergraduate students. Further, we will produce several scholarly papers focused on: generalized theories of change and participatory processes for ecosystem services management; collaboration in ecosystem services management; scenario development in working landscapes; key trade-offs in ecosystem services management; and, integrating social learning, leverage points and decision-support systems to enhance the management of ecosystem services on working landscapes.
FOR RESEARCH QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Julia Baird, Brock University
jbaird@brocku.ca - 905-688-5550 ext. 5426 - website - twitter: @juliambaird
jbaird@brocku.ca - 905-688-5550 ext. 5426 - website - twitter: @juliambaird
