From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa

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dc.contributor.advisorOrtega-Cisneros, Kelly
dc.contributor.advisorJarre, Astrid
dc.contributor.authorLe Roux, Natalie Anne
dc.date.accessioned2025-11-26T08:25:09Z
dc.date.available2025-11-26T08:25:09Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.date.updated2025-11-26T08:22:33Z
dc.description.abstractThe world's oceans face growing threats, necessitating immediate and sustainable action. Disadvantaged coastal communities are especially vulnerable to global change and ongoing human pressures. Strengthening the resilience and adaptability of marine social-ecological systems is crucial for achieving long-term conservation success, necessitating systems-based, inclusive, and communicable approaches. Qualitative modelling, particularly fuzzy-logic cognitive mapping (FCM), offers a promising toolset in support of strategic decision-making. This study builds on causal maps co-created with small-scale fishers from South Africa's southern Cape, integrating expert views and local knowledge through the use of FCM and a rapid prototyping approach. Iterative FCM application involved testing software suitability, refining prototypes, and co-creating scenarios to simulate outcomes and understand key drivers of change. Modifications to the ‘fcm' RStudio package addressed a critical limitation, enhancing the tool's capacity to analyse diverse scenarios effectively and reliably. Findings highlight the significant vulnerabilities of small-scale fishing communities in the southern Cape, driven by economic, policy, and environmental stressors. The study highlights the importance of participatory approaches in identifying vulnerability drivers and enhancing understanding of system dynamics. By integrating local knowledge with FCM, this research advances tools for exploring resilience and vulnerability in these communities.
dc.identifier.apacitationLe Roux, N. A. (2025). <i>From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa</i>. (). University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationLe Roux, Natalie Anne. <i>"From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa."</i> ., University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2025. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationLe Roux, N.A. 2025. From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa. . University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342en_ZA
dc.identifier.ris TY - Thesis / Dissertation AU - Le Roux, Natalie Anne AB - The world's oceans face growing threats, necessitating immediate and sustainable action. Disadvantaged coastal communities are especially vulnerable to global change and ongoing human pressures. Strengthening the resilience and adaptability of marine social-ecological systems is crucial for achieving long-term conservation success, necessitating systems-based, inclusive, and communicable approaches. Qualitative modelling, particularly fuzzy-logic cognitive mapping (FCM), offers a promising toolset in support of strategic decision-making. This study builds on causal maps co-created with small-scale fishers from South Africa's southern Cape, integrating expert views and local knowledge through the use of FCM and a rapid prototyping approach. Iterative FCM application involved testing software suitability, refining prototypes, and co-creating scenarios to simulate outcomes and understand key drivers of change. Modifications to the ‘fcm' RStudio package addressed a critical limitation, enhancing the tool's capacity to analyse diverse scenarios effectively and reliably. Findings highlight the significant vulnerabilities of small-scale fishing communities in the southern Cape, driven by economic, policy, and environmental stressors. The study highlights the importance of participatory approaches in identifying vulnerability drivers and enhancing understanding of system dynamics. By integrating local knowledge with FCM, this research advances tools for exploring resilience and vulnerability in these communities. DA - 2025 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town KW - Fisheries system KW - Southern Cape KW - South Africa LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PB - University of Cape Town PY - 2025 T1 - From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa TI - From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationLe Roux NA. From conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa. []. University of Cape Town ,Faculty of Science ,Department of Biological Sciences, 2025 [cited yyyy month dd]. Available from: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/42342en_ZA
dc.language.isoen
dc.language.rfc3066eng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Biological Sciences
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Cape Town
dc.subjectFisheries system
dc.subjectSouthern Cape
dc.subjectSouth Africa
dc.titleFrom conceptual diagrams to semi-quantitative models of social-ecological systems: exploring fuzzy cognitive mapping for a coastal fisheries system in the Southern Cape, South Africa
dc.typeThesis / Dissertation
dc.type.qualificationlevelMasters
dc.type.qualificationlevelMSc
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