Knowledge Systems and Ecosystem Design (Ecosystem Co-design towards a sustainable Anthropocene)
Talks:
9:00
Abstract 140
KATRINA – Kalimantan Aquaculture and Integrated Mangrove Rehabilitation
by Karl Schrader
ZMT, Mangrove Ecology
During the last two years of the KATRINA project we looked into possible impacts of mangroves, afforested in traditional shrimp ponds, on two species in traditional aquaculture in Indonesia – Penaeus monodon and Scylla serrata. The results are supposed to help us towards a better understanding of benefits or challenges of mangrove integrated aquaculture (MIA) and drawing conclusions how to improve design and handling of those systems. Even though we are not finished yet, the project(part) is coming close to an end and we are able to present a first set of results. Those, impacted by the pandemic, large challenges in planning and communication and natural higher forces, are less clear than we had thought or hoped. Still, they offer an interesting and maybe controversial discussion about the impact and integration of mangroves into traditional aquaculture ponds.
Our main focus lies on the analysis of growth (size and weight) and survival of shrimps depending on their distance to afforested mangrove patches and the effect of presence (or absence) of mangroves on the growth of mangrove crabs in small grow out systems installed in traditional shrimp ponds.
9:15
Abstract 117
The politics of knowledge use in wastewater management – a systematic literature review
by Roald Leeuwerik
ZMT Bremen (WG Deliberation, Valuation and Sustainability)
Pollution through wastewater, leading to environmental and health-related hazards, is still a widespread problem globally. Tropical islands hosting small-scale marine tourism may face particular challenges due to their geographical setting. In contrast to what is often assumed, what wastewater is, its impacts and how it should be managed can be perceived in very different ways. This opens the issue to politics where different stakeholders must come together to decide on solutions. However, this process is not neutral but is informed through power differences. In practice, this means that not all stakeholders may be able to share their knowledge, or that at least not an equal weight is given to different kinds of knowledge. Nevertheless, management is ultimately informed through the choices by decision-makers on what knowledge to use and not use. In order to shed light on how political interactions in wastewater management have been studied before, and what informs the inclusion or exclusion of knowledge by decision-makers, a systematic literature review has been conducted. The review has been designed and conducted in accordance with the ROSES guidelines for systematic literature reviews in environmental studies. During the presentation, the followed ROSES procedure will be briefly outlined. Also summary figures of the literature review will be shown (e.g. geographical scope, publications over the years). Lastly, some preliminary findings from the coding process will be shared (e.g. theoretical perspectives used, relevant factors for knowledge inclusion/exclusion). Given the current stage of the literature review (nearing completion), feedback will be solicited at the end of the presentation.
9:30
Abstract 123
Understanding stakeholders’ perceptions of tourism- generated wastewater in San Andres, Colombia
by Connie Kwong
ZMT
Marine ecosystems are important for tourism development for many tropical islands. Tourism activities have caused various direct and indirect impacts to ecosystems. Impacts caused by tourism-generated wastewater are even less visible. Scientific knowledge provides objective bases for identifying and analysing the problems as well as finding possible solutions to them. Stakeholders’ perceptions and interests are equally important and relevant in the decision-making process. This paper presents some preliminary findings of whether and how the stakeholders perceived tourism-generated wastewater as a problem. Participatory mapping and semi-structured interviews were conducted with tourism stakeholders in San Andres, Colombia in March-June 2022. From the preliminary analysis, local people did not treat tourism-generated wastewater as an immediate and visible problem compared to the water crisis and overpopulation. Both locals and tourists showed a low level of awareness of how wastewater is discharged and managed, which was believed to be related to lack of information.
9:45
Abstract 126
A Sea of Connections – Valuing Reef Passages in the South Pacific Region
by Annette Breckwoldt | Elodie Fache
ZMT | IRD
Pacific Island countries and territories – in particular their Indigenous peoples who see themselves as the custodians of the ocean for the general good, their sovereign rights, and their holistic knowledge – are increasingly recognized as integral for achieving the present ambitious conservation objectives. This is also the case for New Caledonia and Fiji, where most parts of the population live in coastal areas and rely on some of the largest barrier reefs in the world. The reef passages connecting coastal waters and the open ocean are known as outstanding hotspots of biodiversity and productivity. Hence, they are of multifaceted significance for the overall health of coral reef ecosystems. This study intends to explore these social-ecological ‘keystone places’ and ‘communication zones’ that are hardly investigated by natural and social sciences. The aims are:
- To develop and conduct a transdisciplinary study of reef passages as under-researched features of social-ecological coral reef systems that constitute complex, interconnected, and dynamic assemblages of living and non-living, dwelling and transiting, entities that interact with each other;
- To document the various management and conservation arrangements applied to reef passages, including pros and cons that local stakeholder groups identify;
- To develop an inter- and transdisciplinary research catalogue for reef passages; this will include (among others) research aspects from the fields of remote sensing, biodiversity, oceanography, genetics, fish ecology and marine chemistry, but also from (e.g. cultural) anthropology, ethnography, ocean equity and
- To establish a participatory science-society-policy dialogue informed by social- ecological studies, Oceanian socio-cosmologies and sovereignties, and governance norms in/for the management and conservation of reef passages.
The study will actively engage various holders of customary rights, policy-makers and other stakeholders with evidence-based research and provide exchange fora to empower them for the joint management and conservation of reef passages.
10:00
Abstract 136
When our small world models meet the wickedness of the world
by Fridolin Haag
Data Science & Technology group
Modeling is a valuable scientific tool that helps us to better understand and analyze complex systems and phenomena. However, the world of a model is necessarily small compared to the complexity and nuance of real-world situations. This is especially true for “wicked” problems, such as climate change, nature conservation, and local livelihoods, which are characterized by their inherent uncertainty, interconnectedness, and conflicting objectives. In this talk, I will discuss three directions that may nevertheless be helpful.
The first is participatory modeling, which involves engaging actors or stakeholders in the modeling process to ensure that their knowledge and perspectives are incorporated. The second is value of information analysis, which looks at the sensitivity of a decision to additional information and helps to identify the most important data and uncertainties to address. The third is modeling decision making in virtual societies, which combines agent- based modeling, social networks, and opinion dynamics to simulate and analyze the behavior and interactions of different groups and individuals.
Ultimately, we cannot solve wicked problems, as there is no definitive stopping rule. However, we can work towards improvement and modeling may play a valuable role in helping us to better understand and address these complex challenges.
Poster
not available