WCS 3-Sentence Science

Using “Systems Thinking” for Conservation Change

May 16, 2019

Photo credit: Julie Larsen Maher/WCS

Each year, Wildlife Conservation Society scientists publish more than 300 peer-reviewed studies and papers. “WCS 3-Sentence Science” is a regular tip-sheet — in bite sized helpings — of some of this published work.

Here we present the work of the WCS’s Emily Darling on “systems thinking” in conservation:

1. “Systems thinking,” which considers the elements, interconnections, and function or goal of things, offers approaches that could help conservation be more adaptive, transparent, and evidence-based.
2. Using case studies and the literature, researchers trace the evolution of systems thinking and demonstrate how systems mapping could support the process of planning and evaluating conservation interventions.
3. Embedding approaches from systems thinking in practice could create new opportunities to learn, engage with diverse stakeholders on conservation action, and implement holistic actions to ensure conservation can deliver global results.

Study and Journal: “Systems thinking for planning and evaluating conservation interventions” from Conservation Science and Practice
WCS Co-Author(s): Emily Darling , WCS Marine Program

For more information, contact: Stephen Sautner, 718–220–3682, ssautner@wcs.org.