102
Studying either the natural or human system in isolation omits important drivers
of change in FEW systems and how people respond and adapt to these changes.
This can potentially lead to an incomplete understanding of these integrated systems.
Researchers may approach the role of human behavior and adaptation within
FEW systems using different frameworks or methods, drawing from and incorporating many social science disciplines. Despite the variety of approaches, researchers in this context seek to address how human behavior impacts the natural
environment, and how individual, community, and political decisions impact these
systems.
In this chapter, we consider the role of human behavior and adaptation in FEW
systems. We discuss the importance of including more sophisticated models of
human behavior in the study of FEW systems and provide examples of how past
research has incorporated complexity in human behavior into models of these systems. We do so from the perspectives of psychology, economics, and decision science—all social sciences with well-developed theories and models of human
behavior that are useful in informing models and policies. We present two case
studies as examples of how research can explicitly account for human behavior in
these systems. Finally, we discuss challenges in incorporating human behavior and
adaptation into models of these systems and identify future directions for work in
this field.
4.2 Consequences of Overlooking Complexities in Human
Behavior
The complexities of FEW systems are apparent throughout the chapters of this
book. Section 1.4 discusses the macroscope of the FEW nexus concepts and outlines several framings of this nexus. The complexity of the system presents many
challenges to studying it as a whole, often leading researchers to focus on a single
aspect of the system and omit other drivers of change within these systems. Many
models of FEW systems may neglect or simplify human behavior to the point that
it does not accurately represent how people behave in certain situations. Not
accounting for behavioral responses has led to mismanagement of resources ranging from fisheries to forests to endangered species.
As an illustration of the complex feedbacks between human behavior and FEW
systems, the American Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS—see Sects. 9.2.1 and
9.3.1) demonstrates how a policy can cause people to alter their behavior, potentially leading to changes in FEW systems beyond the stated goals of the policy.
The RFS requires the incorporation of renewable fuels, such as corn ethanol, in
commercial gasoline in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One potential
outcome of this requirement is increased demand for domestically produced corn to
meet the demand for ethanol. An increase in demand for corn will likely impact
commodity markets nationally, potentially leading to increased food prices (see
Sect. 5.2.1). An increase in corn prices may provide an incentive for farmers to
M. Doidge et al.
Studying either the natural or human system in isolation omits important drivers
of change in FEW systems and how people respond and adapt to these changes.
This can potentially lead to an incomplete understanding of these integrated systems.
Researchers may approach the role of human behavior and adaptation within
FEW systems using different frameworks or methods, drawing from and incorporating many social science disciplines. Despite the variety of approaches, researchers in this context seek to address how human behavior impacts the natural
environment, and how individual, community, and political decisions impact these
systems.
In this chapter, we consider the role of human behavior and adaptation in FEW
systems. We discuss the importance of including more sophisticated models of
human behavior in the study of FEW systems and provide examples of how past
research has incorporated complexity in human behavior into models of these systems. We do so from the perspectives of psychology, economics, and decision science—all social sciences with well-developed theories and models of human
behavior that are useful in informing models and policies. We present two case
studies as examples of how research can explicitly account for human behavior in
these systems. Finally, we discuss challenges in incorporating human behavior and
adaptation into models of these systems and identify future directions for work in
this field.
4.2 Consequences of Overlooking Complexities in Human
Behavior
The complexities of FEW systems are apparent throughout the chapters of this
book. Section 1.4 discusses the macroscope of the FEW nexus concepts and outlines several framings of this nexus. The complexity of the system presents many
challenges to studying it as a whole, often leading researchers to focus on a single
aspect of the system and omit other drivers of change within these systems. Many
models of FEW systems may neglect or simplify human behavior to the point that
it does not accurately represent how people behave in certain situations. Not
accounting for behavioral responses has led to mismanagement of resources ranging from fisheries to forests to endangered species.
As an illustration of the complex feedbacks between human behavior and FEW
systems, the American Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS—see Sects. 9.2.1 and
9.3.1) demonstrates how a policy can cause people to alter their behavior, potentially leading to changes in FEW systems beyond the stated goals of the policy.
The RFS requires the incorporation of renewable fuels, such as corn ethanol, in
commercial gasoline in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. One potential
outcome of this requirement is increased demand for domestically produced corn to
meet the demand for ethanol. An increase in demand for corn will likely impact
commodity markets nationally, potentially leading to increased food prices (see
Sect. 5.2.1). An increase in corn prices may provide an incentive for farmers to
M. Doidge et al.