Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ecological Integrity: Insights from an Ecosystem Approach

Abstract

This paper explores the concept of ecological integrity in the context of our new understanding of the complexity of ecological phenomena. Ecological integrity pertains to the integrity of the self-organization of ecological systems, including human societal systems. The concepts of self-organization, attractors, propensities, and canon provide a theoretical reference frame for defining ecological integrity. Ecological integrity is about three facets of self-organization of ecological systems: a) current well being, b) resiliency, c) capacity to develop, regenerate and evolve. Given the nature of ecological systems as self-organizing holarchic open systems, a definition of ecological integrity is hierarchical and requires choosing a restricted set of attractors from the possible set in the given circumstances. This reality, in principle, negates the possibility of a strictly science based definition of integrity. We have presented an alternative basis for discussing integrity, an adaptive ecosystem approach which integrates human issues with ecological reality. A Self-organizing Holarchic Open Systems framework for discussing ecological systems and their integrity is presented along with examples of the issues this framework raises. This sets the stage for a discourse on the relationship between humans and ecological integrity. A conceptual model for dealing with the complexity of the human-natural ecosystem is introduced. Finally, drawing upon complex systems thinking and post normal science, a adaptive ecosystem approach for sustaining ecological integrity is put forward.