Concept Mapping: Connecting Educators Proc. of the Third Int. Conference on Concept Mapping Tallinn, Estonia & Helsinki, Finland 2008 CONCEPT MAPS FOR COMBINING HARD AND SOFT SYSTEM THINKING IN THE MANAGEMENT OF SOCIO-ECOSYSTEMS Franco Salerno, IRSA-CNR & Ev-K2-CNR Committee, Italy Emanuele Cuccillato, IUCN, Nepal Robert Muetzelfeldt, Simulistics Ltd., United Kingdom Francesco Giannino, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy Birendra Bajracharya, ICIMOD, Nepal Paolo Caroli, CESVI, Bergamo, Italy Gaetano Viviano, IRSA-CNR & Ev-K2-CNR Committee, Italy Anna Staiano, Fabrizio Cartenì, Stefano Mazzoleni, Università Federico II, Napoli, Italy Gianni Tartari, IRSA-CNR & Ev-K2-CNR Committee, Italy Email: salerno@irsa.cnr.it Abstract. Despite the huge increase in the number of quantitative modeller studies undertaken, little attention in the literature has been given to the communication process among modellers, the researchers and local stakeholders. However, such communication is necessary to ensure that this research effort becomes a useful tool in the decision-making process. The work described here is based on the systems paradigm, and combines scientific environmental analysis and ecosystem modeller (the hard-system approach) with soft-system participatory processes. The development of concept maps is the main tool of the methodology proposed here: combining soft and hard approaches, concept maps are first developed with the involvement of local people and local experts and then used to guide the design of quantitative models. This paper discusses how concept maps and quantitative models were developed to capture the complexity of social and ecological systems in a declarative, systems- oriented and user-friendly manner, assisting stakeholders to increase the knowledge of problems and make decisions. Finally, advantages and disadvantages of the proposed methodology are discussed. 1 Introduction What is the best way of producing good decision support tools for the management of mountain areas in developing countries, that take full account of local people's needs, aspirations and knowledge? Currently major gaps exist in the knowledge of crucial socio-ecosystem dynamics of the mountain complexes, and no clear mechanism is established linking research with management priorities. Typically, resource management projects employ methodologies based on environmental analysis and ecosystem modeller (hard-system), or on participatory processes (soft-system). Each approach has its own strengths in dealing with the complexity of systems from a variety of perspectives. However, a major existing gap is the lack of a clear methodology for integrating these two approaches. We start by introducing the soft and hard tools that can be used for the management of socio-ecosystems in mountain areas. We then show how they can be linked together in order to ensure a smooth flow of information between the conceptualisation phase of the system and its quantitative analysis, and between the people’s needs and the development of solutions. 1.1 Soft Systems Methodology The participatory process and qualitative research were chosen here as suitable Soft Systems Methodologies for working in socio-ecosystem (SES) management. 1.1.1 The participatory process Key stakeholders are involved in the iterative process of system conceptualisation, development and implementation to assure that real user needs are answered and a sustainable process of improved natural resource management is established. We suggest the use of three kinds of tools: a) Workshops to develop a common management process for researchers, stakeholders and modellers. b) Scenario planning exercises to explore possible long-term scenarios for these ecosystems. Scenario planning is a technique means to identify and stimulate analysis around alternative futures as a way of short-circuiting biased and entrenched views of the world and prepare for developments which could not be anticipated by simply extrapolating past trends. c) Capacity building of resource people involved in the management and study of SES is here considered an essential element in a participatory process that uses scientific and technological resources and tools. In fact Soft Systems Methodology requires that participants adapt to the overall approach. Through formal