A relational social-ecological systems approach to determine essential variables for monitoring sustainability at a catchment level

This publication introduces Essential Social-Ecological System Variables (ESEVs), an approach aimed at addressing integration and monitoring challenges in Social-Ecological System (SES) projects at the catchment scale. ESEVs are defined as 'the minimum set of critical social-ecological variables to capture key features, processes, and interactions driving SES dynamics over time and space.' Notably, ESEVs differ from other essential variable approaches as they are based on the relational connection between the 'Social' and 'Ecological' aspects of SESs and are derived from a transdisciplinary process involving systems thinking and social learning. The ESESV approach was rooted in systems thinking to identify variables for monitoring progress towards improved SES sustainability within the Tsitsa River Catchment in South Africa. ESEVs were identified through a process involving interviews, workshops, and surveys with experts from a transdisciplinary SES project in the catchment. The criteria for prioritizing ESEVs and their associated indicators were determined based on ‘essentiality scores,’ and the degree of consensus among participants. The resulting ESEVs for the Tsitsa River Catchment included 'soil erosion related to human actions on the land,' 'participation in natural resource governance,' 'grazing and rangeland sustainability,' and 'land cover and condition.' Additionally, participants proposed 'access to water,' 'local natural resource governance system,' and 'human well-being in the landscape' as potential ESEVs. Monitoring ESEVs could be achieved through a mix of data sources, with reduced emphasis on biophysical earth observations. Applying the ESEV approach at the catchment scale ensured its contextual relevance and practicality. The study provides valuable insights for monitoring SES sustainability, offering an effective approach and process applicable to various SES landscapes. • A novel approach, ESEVs, simplifies monitoring complex social-ecological systems. • Derived by combining transdisciplinary systems thinking and a relational approach. • Applying ESEVs at the catchment scale, ensures contextual relevance and practicality. • Produces a limited set of strongly connected variables for tracking system dynamics. • Suitable for enhancing integrated monitoring across diverse landscapes.