Conceptual models and wetland management

This week I presented a webinar for the Wetland Education and Training (WET) series of workshops that are run by the Sydney Olympic Park Authority. Thanks to @Swapan Paul for the opportunity. My talk was entitled The use of conceptual models in understanding and supporting management of wetlands.

I used a range of case studies of projects I have been involved in to illustrate how useful conceptual models can be in helping to synthesise knowledge and understanding of wetlands which are such incredibly complex systems with multitudes of interactions at play.

Conceptual models are an important way of describing the processes and interactions taking place in a wetland and how these influence different pathways and processes. Importantly conceptual models can depict links between drivers and outcomes and can depict describe socio-economic components and effects, and link to values that stakeholders have about wetlands. Conceptual models can be highly detailed or simplified and can be adapted to the needs of different users. Conceptual models can be the start of an approach to develop detailed models of a system, or to identify important indicators for monitoring. They may also be tools for engaging with managers and stakeholders.