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Thinking systemically about ecological interventions: what do system archetypes teach us?
Author(s) -
Hallett Lauren M.,
Hobbs Richard J.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
restoration ecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.214
H-Index - 100
eISSN - 1526-100X
pISSN - 1061-2971
DOI - 10.1111/rec.13220
Subject(s) - archetype , systems thinking , context (archaeology) , viable system model , unintended consequences , knowledge management , psychological intervention , soft systems methodology , computer science , process management , intervention (counseling) , holistic management , psychology , management science , business , ecology , epistemology , information system , artificial intelligence , engineering , management information systems , art , paleontology , philosophy , literature , electrical engineering , psychiatry , cybernetics , biology
To address the need for more holistic approaches to ecological management and restoration, we examine ecosystem interventions through the lens of systems thinking and in reference to systems archetypes, as developed in relation to organizational management in the business world. Systems thinking is a holistic approach to analysis that focuses on how a system's constituent parts interrelate and how systems work over time and within the context of larger systems. Systems archetypes represent patterns of behavior that have been observed repeatedly. These archetypes help relate commonly observed responses to environmental problems with their effect on important feedback processes to better anticipate connections between actions and results. They highlight situations where perceived solutions actually result in worse or unintended consequences, and where changing goals may be either appropriate or inappropriate. The archetypes can be applied to practical examples, and can provide guidance to help make appropriate intervention decisions in similar circumstances. Their use requires stepping back from immediately obvious management decisions and taking a more systemic view of the situation. A catalog of archetypes that describe common patterns of systems behavior may inform management by helping to diagnose system dynamics earlier and identifying interactions among them.