‘Bunkering down’: How one community is tightening social?ecological network structures in the face of global change

Complex networks of relationships among and between people nature (social-ecological networks) play an important role in sustainability; yet, we have limited empirical understanding their temporal dynamics. We empirically examine the evolution a social-ecological network common-pool resource system faced with escalating social environmental change over past two decades. first draw on quantitative qualitative data collected 2002 2018 Papua New Guinean reef fishing community to provide contextual evidence regarding extent being experienced. then develop multilevel exponential random graph model using complete data, 2016 2018, test key hypotheses how households adapted ties this context given resources (i.e. ties). Specifically, hypothesized that will increasingly form tight-knit, bonding structures (H1 H3, respectively) similar others (H2), they seek out resourceful actors specialized knowledge can promote learning spur innovation (H4). Our results depict is largely ‘bunkering down’ looking inward response mounting risk resource-dependent livelihoods breakdown collaborative processes traditionally sustained them. Community members are choosing interact more like themselves friends (H1), those connected interdependent ecological (H3)—in other words, showing strong, increasing preference for forming interacting like-minded, others. did not find strong support H4. Bonding may decrease associated unmonitored behaviour help build trust, thereby probability sustaining cooperation time. Yet, homophily stifle innovation, reducing ability adapt changing conditions. It also lead clustering, creating fault lines network, which negatively impact community's mobilize agree on/enforce norms, managing common resources. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.