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Soft Systems: an Interdisciplinary Method Dr Karen Bowler Marine and Coastal Policy Research Group School of Earth, Oc

Soft Systems: an Interdisciplinary Method Dr Karen Bowler Marine and Coastal Policy Research Group School of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences. The Irish Sea: a socio-ecological system. Marine management Sustainability :

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Soft Systems: an Interdisciplinary Method Dr Karen Bowler Marine and Coastal Policy Research Group School of Earth, Oc

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  1. Soft Systems: an Interdisciplinary MethodDr Karen BowlerMarine and Coastal Policy Research GroupSchool of Earth, Ocean and Environmental Sciences

  2. The Irish Sea: a socio-ecological system • Marine management • Sustainability: ‘Meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generation s to meet their own needs.’ Brundtland 1987 • Ecosystem wellbeing fundamental • Humans are part of the ecosystem.

  3. Ecosystem PRESSURES Environmental STATE CHANGES Societal DRIVERS IMPACTS on Society Societal RESPONSES The Problem – Why is marine conservation failing to deliver?’ • D-P-S-I-R • Science-policy gap • Barriers to change • ESRC/NERC • Multiple disciplines involved • Which methods?

  4. Disciplines INTERDISCIPLINARITY Academia ‘Disciplinary silos’ Civil society ‘Sage on stage’ After Brand, R & Karvonen A, 2007

  5. Soft systems Why use soft systems? • Current focus – marine science and human activities framed exclusively within the scientific paradigm. • These approaches therefore necessarily fail to consider the ultimate, societal, causes of environmental degradation. Advantages: • ‘messy’ situations • ‘soft’/multiple problem definitions • Context sensitive • Include many kinds of information • Clarify assumptions, values, purpose • Critical system for action (Ulrich, W)

  6. Soft systems What is a system? • A ‘Holon’ -Greater than sum of parts • Structured by its components, interactions and feedbacks • Persistent in face of change • What are Soft Systems? • A ‘thinking tool’, ‘a sense-making approach’ (Checkland P, 1981) • A process of enquiry using systems tools and thinking • ‘holons’ developed to structure debate, compare with real world, consider changes • Can be issue-based or task-based (O.R.) • Ideally – with multiple stakeholders • Iterative learning cycle

  7. Step 3 Model development Step 4 Model analyses Step 2 Screening - system boundaries probs/opps Ongoing evaluation Step 5 Interpretation of results Step 1 Scoping - Explore the context Step 6 Take Action START Step 7 7-step method – iterative, refined, results of several cycles After Checkland, 1981

  8. Context – Rich Pictures

  9. Problems/Opportunities: A ‘Mess’ • Marine environmental damage/degradation • Scientific uncertainty • Multiple legislatory challenges: Marine Protected Areas, shipping, fishing, tourism, conservation, • Conflicting interests: high population, high consumption levels, energy demands, economic competitiveness, global links • Sustainability – economic? social? • Root Definition: Transformation of a non-sustainable Irish Sea into a sustainable Irish Sea?

  10. Scale, Boundaries,

  11. Multiple-cause diagram 1

  12. Multiple-cause diagram 2

  13. Influence diagram

  14. Critical System Critical components identified: Causes: Failures in Legislation, Management, Modelling, Technology use Influences: Feedback loops Economic growth-energy-trade Externalities-short-termism-Overshoot Critical areas for action e. g. Strengthen weakly interacting feedback at long-term interests

  15. Wider discussion • The Irish Sea itself does not comprise a holon. • Scientifically defined ‘ecosystem’ • Politically divided • Statistical data at national level • Subject to multiple influences from system environment • A sustainable Irish Sea is a long way from reality.

  16. Conclusions Soft systems methods provide a key link in developing our understanding of complex, trans-disciplinary issues. They: • Extend understanding to multiple, underlying causes eg advertising, outside usual consideration • Construct a holistic picture of context and interrelationships which influence (non)-sustainability • As a learning cycle, could offer much more if practiced on the ground in stakeholder fora.

  17. DPSIR and Data Natural Sciences ‘ WHAT HAPPENS’ Quantity PRESSURES Speed Needs Wants Volume STATE CHANGES DRIVERS Power Area Social Sciences ‘WHY IT HAPPENS’ Beliefs, Values Size RESPONSES Feelings IMPACTS

  18. Natural Sciences Value Neutral PRESSURES More Data Reduce uncertainty Relationships Context STATE CHAGES DRIVERS Consensus Social Sciences Value Pluralism Pattern Process Empathy Respect Commitment, Vision RESPONSES IMPACTS DPSIR and Epistemologies ‘Rational’ ‘Non-Rational’

  19. Chemistry Resource management Conservation of habitats and species Fisheries Science Oceanography Ecology Biology Current basis for marine sustainability ‘…based on sound science’ – as opposed to unsound science

  20. Scientific Basis Chemistry Resource management Conservation of habitats and species Fisheries Science Oceanography Ecology Biology Extended basis for marine sustainability ‘…based on sound science’ – but only as a basis – cultural values Context, advertising, global economy, unequal distribution of benefits, trade-offs, advertising, short term benefit v ultimate aims,. Where are we really going? Is it good or bad – beyond science

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