Conservation in a Wicked Complex World; Challenges and Solutions

Conservation Letters

Edward T. Game¹  Erik Meijaard²  Douglas Sheil³ 

[1] The Nature Conservancy, Conservation Science, West End, Queensland, Australia;ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia;Center for International Forestry Research, Bogor, Indonesia

关键词: Adaptive management;    best practice;    complex systems;    conservation success;    counterinsurgency;    decision theory;    feedback;    leadership;    monitoring;    wicked problems;   

DOI  :  10.1111/conl.12050

来源: Wiley

【 摘 要 】

Abstract

Most conservation challenges are complex and possess all the characteristics of so called “wicked” problems. Despite widespread recognition of this complexity conservationists possess a legacy of institutional structures, tools and practices better suited to simpler systems. We highlight two specific challenges posed by this mismatch: the difficulty of adaptive management where success is ambiguous and the tension between “best practice” and creativity. Drawing on research in other disciplines (including psychology, information systems, business management, and military strategy) we suggest practices that conservation could consider to better respond to complexity. These practices include, defining clear objectives, the use of scenarios, emphasis on pattern analysis, and ensuring greater scope for creative and decentralized decision making. To help illustrate these challenges and solutions, we point to parallels between conservation and military operations.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
©2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.