A Cognitive Model of an Epistemic Community: Mapping the Dynamics of Shallow Lake Ecosystems

We used fuzzy cognitive mapping (FCM) to develop a generic shallow lake ecosystem model by augmenting the individual cognitive maps drawn by 8 scientists working in the area of shallow lake ecology. We calculated graph theoretical indices of the individual cognitive maps and the collective cognitive map produced by augmentation. The graph theoretical indices revealed internal cycles showing non-linear dynamics in the shallow lake ecosystem. The ecological processes were organized democratically without a top-down hierarchical structure. The steady state condition of the generic model was a characteristic turbid shallow lake ecosystem since there were no dynamic environmental changes that could cause shifts between a turbid and a clearwater state, and the generic model indicated that only a dynamic disturbance regime could maintain the clearwater state. The model developed herein captured the empirical behavior of shallow lakes, and contained the basic model of the Alternative Stable States Theory. In addition, our model expanded the basic model by quantifying the relative effects of connections and by extending it. In our expanded model we ran 4 simulations: harvesting submerged plants, nutrient reduction, fish removal without nutrient reduction, and biomanipulation. Only biomanipulation, which included fish removal and nutrient reduction, had the potential to shift the turbid state into clearwater state. The structure and relationships in the generic model as well as the outcomes of the management simulations were supported by actual field studies in shallow lake ecosystems. Thus, fuzzy cognitive mapping methodology enabled us to understand the complex structure of shallow lake ecosystems as a whole and obtain a valid generic model based on tacit knowledge of experts in the field.Comment: 24 pages, 5 Figure

Maximising Impact Optimising Profit

Humanity faces an imminent threat to its existence on this planet. The climate emergency and biodiversity crises are a direct result of our economic system. As the main instruments of our economic system, companies play a critical role in creating and solving this threat. Therefore, this book argues that if humanity is to exist on this planet, the economic system and companies, at its foundation, need to change. For this we propose an ecological and social purpose and impact driven company structure that uses profit to further the impact. A new law is needed and under this law all new and existing companies would need to structure themselves in this new way. If they cannot abide by this new law, then they will cease to exist by law, made by people, for people and this planet. This law would enable an economic system where companies instead of maximising their profits without regarding the environmental and social cost and damages, would maximize their impact, regenerating ecological and social resilience and integrity. Companies would not only have to “not harm the planet and people” but prove to be “benefitting the planet and the people” to exist and endure as an entity. Historically companies were not built on the sole purpose to maximize profit, and it does not have to be the essential component. When we look at the historical evolution of the company and company law in different geographies, from East to West, from Japan, to China, Turkey, Italy, Germany, France, the UK and the USA, we see that they were first given the right to exist to benefit society. However the rise of the chartered companies set the stage for the company as the exploiter. We see this clearly in the Dutch East India Company (VOC), East India Company, Compagnie des Indes Orientales and Hudson’s Bay Company. Unfortunately they are seen as the precursors of today's companies. Of course there have been counter measures to exploitation such as Anti-Trust Laws against Trusts being formed where and when chartered companies left the stage. Additionally, there were reform efforts against the “exploiting company” such as “Polluter Pays Principle”, the value based approaches – “Creating Stakeholder Value”, degrowth, solidarity economics, commons movement and the critique of companies, P2P – Peer to Peer, Social Enterprises and Prosumer Economy. However these reform efforts were not sufficient as we can see in the deepening of the climate emergency and biodiversity crises. Therefore a new company law is needed. As seen in our historical tour of company laws, almost all company laws in all nations have become extremely similar, therefore as an example we have amended the Turkish Company Code to reflect what we propose globally, a new company that maximises impact and optimises profit

Mülkiyeti Milli Emlak Müdürlüğüne ait, Kayseri İli Kocasinan İlçesi, Ebiç Kasabası, Yemliha Yamacı mevkiinde bulunan 56.966 m2 lik taşınmazda Yamula Barajı projesindeki Dadağı Tüneli ve sulaması inşaatlarında kullanılmak üzere DSİ XII. Bölge Müdürlüğüne 3 (üç) yıl süre ile verilen kum – çakıl ocağı işletme ruhsatının iptali.

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Environmental and individual correlates of dispersal in Greater Flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus)

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