Integrating Conceptual Social-Ecological Models in Ecosystem Based Management

Historically, natural resource management has occurred on a species or sector level. Recently the principles of ecosystem - based management (EBM) have given rise to more holistic management tools and frameworks (e.g. social-ecological systems and resilience theory) that are designed to incorporate complexity and institutional collaboration into decision-making.  Here we present an application of fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to create a qualitative representation of the major drivers and stressors on a lagoonal estuarine ecosystem, the ecological effects of these stressors, and the key indicators of the ecological responses.  We surveyed individuals from multiple stakeholder groups (scientists, managers, NGOs, longtime bay residents) to develop conceptual models of Barnegat Bay, New Jersey.  Models for each individual were compared across groups to assess similarities and differences in the social and ecological components and relationships within the Bay.  The FCMs will be compared to a quantitative ecosystem model to help us understand where gaps may exist in either model and where community understanding of ecosystem functions diverges from numerical based models.  By identifying these divergences we hope to gain greater acceptance of the results of the quantitative model and any integrated management plans subsequently generated.