The Cross-scale Interplay between Social and Biophysical Context and the Vulnerability of Irrigation-dependent Societies: Archaeology's Long-term Perspective

Abstract

The cross-scale interplay between social and biophysical context and the vulnerability of irrigation-dependent societies: archaeology's longterm perspective. Ecology and Society 15(3): 31.

Synthesis: Vulnerability, Traps, and Transformations—Long-term Perspectives from Archaeology

“…Whereas the proposition finds support with respect to migration to and from densely populated centers and the hinterlands (Anderies and Hegmon 2011) and the distribution of resources through trade (Janssen 2011), other studies indicate the problems with failure to manage across multiple scales. Nelson et al (2011b) identify cases where the minimization of disturbances at one scale may come at the expense of increased vulnerability to disturbances at another scale. This case illustrates real limits to the capacity to manage at multiple scales.…”

“…This statement might be extended to read: attend to multiple temporal scales, paying attention to trade-offs induced by various responses to particular temporal scales. Additionally, several of the papers note how social and physical infrastructure slowly build up over time in response to fast variables such as small-scale seasonal flooding in irrigation-fed agriculture and, in the process, increase vulnerability to longer term changes in slow variables, like the climatic systems (Spielmann et al 2011, Nelson et al 2011b). Janssen (2011) also examines the interaction of long-term population dynamics, shortterm climatic variability, and the storage, sharing, and exchange of resources among spatially disparate groups.…”

“…Nelson et al (2011b) illustrate well how simplifying production for increased efficiency (Anderies et al 2006) can contribute over the long term to dramatic transformation. The Hohokam efficient irrigation system ultimately collapsed along with social institutions, people died, and others left the region because the system became rigid and specialized on canal irrigation.…”

“…The contrasting Zuni system of diverse, shifting farming locales and strategies persisted through climate changes and social changes in the region. Nelson et al (2011b) examine why people might reduce social diversity to increase the ease of decision making in small-group settings. They show that this shift to reduced diversity in material expressions of social relations is associated with dramatic transformations in some contexts, supporting this principle but also noting some of the reasons for reductions in social diversity.…”

Umwelt und Gesellschaft. Herausforderung für Wissenschaft und Politik

“…Bei der Bewertung moderner Fischereien sowie von vorspanischen Wasserkontrollsystemen für die Landwirtschaft haben Anderies et al (2007: 15194) festgestellt, dass "Maßnahmen die robust gegenüber Unsicherheiten einer Gruppe von Parametern sind, zwangsläufig anfällig für Unsicherheit in einer anderen Gruppe sind." Das Beste, was wir tun können, ist die Anfälligkeit für ausgewählte Schwachstellen zu minimieren und die allgemeine Resilienz zu managen (Nelson et al, 2010 …”