Systems scoping

Chapter 5 deals with the set of methods related to systems scoping. This is often one of the first steps undertaken in social-ecological systems (SES) research in order to define the boundaries of the research and identify the key relations and dynamics between actors and ecosystems in a given SES. The chapter discusses social-ecological inventories, stakeholder analysis, historical, social and ecological inventories, cultural domain analysis, contextual profiling, policy scoping and literature reviews as major types of systems scoping methods used in SES research. It goes on to discuss the types of SES problems and research questions commonly addressed by this set of methods, as well as their limitations, resource implications and new emerging research directions. The chapter also includes an in-depth case study showcasing the application of systems scoping methods, and suggested further readings on these methods.