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Applying systems thinking

Applying systems thinking . Treasure, Turf and Turmoil: The Dirty Dynamics of Land and Natural Resource Conflict Presente r: Diane Russell June 2011. What do we mean by system?. An aid for understanding connections and flows among sectors, actors, biophysical units in nature

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Applying systems thinking

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  1. Applying systems thinking Treasure, Turf and Turmoil: The Dirty Dynamics of Land and Natural Resource Conflict Presenter: Diane Russell June 2011

  2. What do we mean by system? • An aid for understanding connections and flows among sectors, actors, biophysical units in nature • Complements reductionism (breaking down units to study them) In development… a system coherently organizes sets of elements in a way that achieves a “purpose.”

  3. Intersecting systems Ecosystems • Ecosystems (various scales) • System of laws, regulations, and rules (codified, “informal”) • Interactions between the two • Environmental and natural resource governance (semi-predictable interactions) • Rapidly emerging change Laws, Regulations, Rules

  4. Social system elements

  5. System dynamics • Energy flows • Feedback or causal loops • Negative (changes neutralized) • Positive (changes magnified) • Systemic change

  6. Ripple effects • Human-biophysical ripples • Mediated by human institutions, technology

  7. Scale • Biophysical system scale • Human institutional scales • Scale mismatch as conflict generator • Scale match and collective action

  8. Timeframe and scale • Working at larger scale may save time • Urgency factor • Timing is critical

  9. System leverage • Leverage people • Critical mass • Density points (multiple connections) • Negotiation with system change

  10. Tipping points • Triggers • Emergent properties • Fluctuation duration and severity • Change/loss of linchpin resource

  11. Using systems

  12. Bounding and modeling systems • What is inside and outside? • Modeling complexity or highlighting key connections?

  13. Collapse Is Jared Diamond correct?

  14. Resiliency • Redundancy • Diversity • Learning • Negotiation

  15. Summary • Systems are models of elements, connections and interactions • Human and natural systems intersect and influence • Institutions mediate • Scale defines and is defined by systems • Timing and timeframe impact actions at scale • Leverage points increase efficiency of action • Systems are both fragile and resilient

  16. Table Exercise • What systems might you consider when addressing complex problems of conflict over natural resources and land? Why are these systems important? • What are some key intersections of biophysical and socioeconomic systems? Provide some examples.

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