Evaluation Methods Workshop ? Definitions: an introduction Evaluation Methods Workshop Sponsored by the Community Based Collaboratives Research Consortium June 6-7, 2004

Evaluation Methods Workshop Definitions for discussion clarity A quick overview of definitions A quick overview of definitions Ensure that we understand each other (before we go too far…) Ensure that we understand each other (before we go too far…) Not seeking agreement, just basic clarity Not seeking agreement, just basic clarity Any other words we might add? Any other words we might add? Credit to Resilience Alliance,

Evaluation Methods Workshop Community Based Collaborative The Community-Based Collaboratives Research Consortium’s working definition of a community-based collaborative (CBC)): October, 1999www.cbcrc.org A group that has been convened voluntarily from within the local community to focus on a resource management issue(s) or planning involving public lands or publicly owned or regulated resources whose management impacts the physical, environmental and/or economic health of the local community; A group brought together by a shared desire to influence the protection and use of natural resources through recommendations or direct actions that will impact the management of the resource; A group whose membership includes a broad array of interests, some of which may conflict; and A group using a decision-making process that requires participation by local stakeholders.

Evaluation Methods Workshop Panarchy Dynamic interaction of societies and ecosystems linking theories from ecology, economy and sociology including: Gunderson and Holling, 2002 A view of cross-scale dynamic interactions which considers the interplay between change and persistence, and between the predictable and unpredictable. A view of cross-scale dynamic interactions which considers the interplay between change and persistence, and between the predictable and unpredictable. An intent to provide a predictive tool by examining the properties and processes that shape the future. An intent to provide a predictive tool by examining the properties and processes that shape the future.

Evaluation Methods Workshop Adaptive Cycle A general model of systemic change that proposes that the internal dynamics of some systems cycle through four phases: rapid growth, conservation, collapse, and re-organization. r: growth or exploitation K: conservation Ω: collapse or release ά: reorganization Gunderson and Holling, 2002

Evaluation Methods Workshop Adaptive Capacity Systems with high adaptive capacity are able to re-configure themselves without significant declines in crucial functions in relation to primary productivity, hydrological cycles, social relations and economic prosperity Systems with high adaptive capacity are able to re-configure themselves without significant declines in crucial functions in relation to primary productivity, hydrological cycles, social relations and economic prosperity Resilience is key to enhancing adaptive capacity. Resilience is key to enhancing adaptive capacity. he ability of a social-ecological system to cope with novel situations without losing options for the future. The ability of a social-ecological system to cope with novel situations without losing options for the future.

Evaluation Methods Workshop Resilience The amount of change the system can undergo and still retain the same controls on function and structure, The amount of change the system can undergo and still retain the same controls on function and structure, The degree to which the system is capable of self-organization, and The degree to which the system is capable of self-organization, and The ability to build and increase the capacity for learning and adaptation. The ability to build and increase the capacity for learning and adaptation. As applied to ecosystems, or to integrated systems of people and the natural environment, has three defining characteristics:

Evaluation Methods Workshop Connectedness An organism, ecosystem or organization or economic sector with high connectedness is little influenced by external variability. Stonefly: sensitive macro-invertebrate, its presence and abundance indicate health of the aquatic system. Highly sensitive to most disturbances = low connectedness Aquatic worm: highly tolerant aquatic organisms, its abundance and lack of other more sensitive organisms, indicate a damaged environment. Highly tolerant to most disturbances so = high connectedness. Gunderson and Holling, 2002 The degree of internal control that a system can exert over external variability. Can be measured by the speed of return to equilibrium after a disturbance.

Evaluation Methods Workshop Complexity Study of complex ecological-economic systems entails a trans-disciplinary approach relating ecological economics to complex systems (Anderson et al. 1988, Costanza 1991, Holland 1995, Waldrop 1992) Four basic interactions: economic agents, institutions, physical economy, ecosystems. From systems theory, to a more organic view of systems as dynamic and learning, characterized by nonstop flow of information within the ‘system’ and by individual actors making continual adjustments in their patterns and behaviors. Agent based modeling is one method for modeling complexity (Brogden, 2003).

Evaluation Methods Workshop Other terms to add?

Evaluation Methods Workshop The End (for now…)