The social-ecological system of the Kenai River Fishery (Alaska, USA)

Chase C Lamborn; Jennifer Givens; Christopher Lant; Brett Roper; Christopher Monz; Jordan W Smith

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117314

The social-ecological system of the Kenai River Fishery (Alaska, USA)

J Environ Manage. 2023 Apr 1:331:117314. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117314. Epub 2023 Jan 21.

Authors

Chase C Lamborn¹, Jennifer Givens², Christopher Lant³, Brett Roper⁴, Christopher Monz⁵, Jordan W Smith⁵

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA; Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA. Electronic address: chase.lamborn@usu.edu.
² Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
³ Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
⁴ Department of Watershed Sciences, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA; Fish and Aquatic Ecology Unit, USDA Forest Service, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.
⁵ Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA; Department of Environment and Society, Utah State University, Logan, UT, 84322, USA.

PMID: 36689860
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117314

Abstract

We present a collaboratively developed social-ecological model of the Kenai River Fishery. We developed the model through iterative interviews with stakeholders throughout the Kenai Peninsula using a novel participatory Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping process grounded in Ostrom's social-ecological systems framework. Individual social-ecological models, developed one-on-one with stakeholders, were combined into a single aggregated model representing the system's structure and function. We validated this aggregated model through subsequent interviews with stakeholders and focused literature reviews. The result is a model that can: 1) illustrate the breadth and interconnectedness of the Kenai River Fishery's social-ecological system; 2) be used to facilitate discussions around management of the fishery; and 3) be used to explore the components and interactions that move the system toward or away from sustainability. Using the model, we identify how the nature of salmon (migratory) and their habitat (large and unpredictable) leads to uncertainty about effective management strategies. This uncertainty, in addition to a large and diverse set of resource users, creates conflicting management goals that ultimately limit the governance system in making decisions that might increase the sustainability of the fishery.

Keywords: Complex systems; Ecosystem management; Fisheries management; Fuzzy cognitive mapping; Social-ecological systems.

MeSH terms

Alaska
Conservation of Natural Resources
Ecosystem
Fisheries*
Rivers*