Through a combination of expert knowledge, system mapping, and network analysis, the team created a comprehensive conceptual system model for the Lules River watershed in northwestern Argentina. This conceptual model includes five ecosystem services and disservices influencing f human well-being and environmental health in northwestern Argentina: aboveground carbon stock, water quality, water quantity, transmission of dengue, and transmission of of leishmaniasis.
The study identified 43 drivers —ranging from climate and land use to socio-economic and policy factors— and revealed that drivers such as urbanization, deforestation, and public sanitation are pivotal in shaping the behavior of the entire socio-ecological system.
💬 “System maps help us identify critical drivers, avoid unintended consequences, and guide data collection and management in a transparent and adaptive way,” says lead author Pablo García-Díaz.
This method is especially valuable in data-poor regions like South America, where environmental challenges are pressing and multifactorial. Conceptual system maps not only reflects the current understanding of complex ecological interactions but also serves as a living model to support decision-making and future research.
We at IER are proud to contribute tools and insights that bridge scientific knowledge with practical solutions for sustainability.
