Table 1. Entities involved in social-ecological systems


Entities Examples Potential Problems

A. Resource Water source Uncertainty
 Fishery Complexity / Uncertainty
 
B. Resource Users Farmers using irrigation Stealing water, getting a free ride on maintenance
 Fishers harvesting from inshore fishery Overharvesting
 
C. Public infrastructure providers Executive and council of local users’ association  Internal conflict or indecision about which policies to adopt
 Government bureau Information loss
 
D. Public Infrastructure Engineering works Wear out over time
 Institutional rules Memory loss over time, deliberate cheating
 
External Environment Weather, economy, political system Sudden changes as well as slow changes that are not noticed