between issues

6.15 SYSTEMS THINKING: THE INTERACTION BETWEEN ISSUES

Ecological systems such as rivers are made up of connected interactions between living organisms, including humans, and their physical environment. The issues presented here do not occur in isolation. Many of them are “wicked problems” with no single solution and as such no single action will be able to “fix” the identified issue.

“Systems thinking” is an approach to problem solving which recognises this complexity. Problems are considered as parts of an overall system. Solutions seek to address multiple interactions in the system rather than reacting to a single impact which is frequently ineffective and can cause unintended consequences. While the Manning River ECMP presents issues and actions focussing on single stressors, impacts and interventions, it is recognised that many of the issues are interrelated, and management actions will need to work together holistically to achieve long-term environmental improvement. For example, bank erosion is a problem in the estuary. It has multiple causes including tidal movements, wind, waves and boatwash. Clearing of riparian vegetation including mangroves has made banks more vulnerable to erosion. Stock activity adds to the vulnerability. Changes in tidal movements caused by sea level rise or entrance modifications will exacerbate bank erosion. In this scenario, a single intervention, for example rock armouring of a reach of bank, will not address the problem. The Manning River ECMP recognises that in many cases its actions will be most effective when working in concert to address multiple stressors holistically. Examples of holistic actions that could work together to address an issue include: • Riparian restoration, bank revetment, stock management, source control of boatwash erosion and education for the river users to practice responsible boating. • Maintenance of Gross Pollutant Traps, restoration of constructed wetlands, source control of litter and community education (only rain down the drain). Systems thinking will be used to implement the Manning ECMP.