Socio-ecological systems and complexity theory [SSMRM103]

Learning outcomes

At the end of this unit, students should be able to: • Understand the concepts of social-ecological systems and resilience, and all the concepts associated with them. • Mobilise complex system modelling tools (multi-agent simulation, role-playing) for collective action • Understand the different discourses on nature and the impacts of those on land ownership and resource management

Content

This course provides an introduction to socio-ecological systems, in the context of ecological complexity and resilience. It is structured around the concepts of socio-ecological systems and resilience, and addresses, among others, the concepts of emergence, adaptive cycle, multiple equilibria, feedbacks, threshold effects, networks, etc. It also provides an introduction to participatory multi-agent models for the sustainable management of natural resources in rural areas Finally, the different discourses on nature (on a global scale: "world views") will be presented in order to understand their impacts on land ownership and natural resource management.