Knowing how and when ecological information leads to useful transformations in community-ecosystem relationships is important. Such knowledge can help build sustainable bridges between communities and ecosystems. This paper uses system dynamics modeling to document the evolutionary process of socio-ecological transformation on the island of Tikopia, where insitutional structures evolved that have generated a relatively stable population density and resource management that have been sustained for over a thousand years. The model presents a dynamic simulation of the evolution of the transitional, emergent ecological-economic states that have allowed this success to occur. We ask: "How did the Tikopians generate such a sustainable structure for the long term?"
Results/Conclusions
Results are preliminary in that we wish to extend the study to cover more cases, so that we can see the way Tikipian structures evolved relative to those of other Polynesian islands. Our current model demonstrates the successful interaction between resource extraction and policy decision-making structures on Tikopia. Our process allows us to see how Tikopian institutions have embeded decision-making processes in social institutions, providing goal-seeking structures that lead to successful adaptation over time. Further case studies will allow us to compare this success story with similar cases in Polynesia that did not succeed. We seek to develop an understanding of the role of information delivery and capacity in socio-institutional decision-making, so we can design policies most likely to generate success over the long term.