Introduction to Social-Ecological Systems Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core concepts, dimensions, scale alignment, interactions, and tuna fishing methods from Introduction to Social-Ecological Systems.

Social-Ecological Systems (SES)

Systems in which human (social) systems are interdependent, inseparable, and intertwined with ecosystems, embedded within and dependent upon the biosphere and the broader Earth system.

Social Systems

Systems made up of a patterned set of relations between individual or groups of social actors.

Ecological Systems

Living organisms, their relationships, and their surrounding bio-physical environment.

Social Levels

Institutions that set norms and rules for groups of actors.

Ecological Scales

Spatial and temporal dimensions of an object, pattern, or process.

Scale Concordance

The condition in which social levels (institutions) and ecological scales are aligned with one another.

Scale Discordance

The condition in which social levels (institutions) and ecological scales are misaligned.

Knowledge (SES Interaction)

Information and interpretation affecting how social-ecological systems are known and understood.

Practices (SES Interaction)

What people routinely say and do in their everyday lives.

Values (SES Interaction)

Preferences, principles, and virtues associated with human-nature relations.

Technologies (SES Interaction)

Methods, processes, or material devices purposefully used to achieve predefined societal goals.

Pole & Line Fishing

A fishing method that uses a single pole, line, and barbless hook to catch one fish at a time.

Handline Fishing

A fishing method that utilizes a single line and hook deployed from a stationary vessel, from which the fish is then hauled by hand.

Troll Fishing

A fishing method where vessels use multiple fishing lines drawn through the water behind a moving vessel, pulling in lines once fish are hooked.

Purse Seine Fishing

A fishing method where vessels fish either by spotting free-swimming schools of tuna or by utilizing floating objects that attract fish.

Long Line Fishing

A fishing method making use of lines with baited hooks as fishing gear.

Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)

Natural or manmade floating objects used to attract fish in methods such as purse seine fishing.

Four Main Dimensions of Socio-Ecological Systems

1. System level thinking, 2. Levels and scales, 3. System level effects, 4. System interactions.

System Level Effects

Interactions wherein changes to ecological systems affect societal wellbeing, society's resource use alters ecosystems, and institutions set goals to sustain or transform resource use.