*STONE H. J. and O. L. LOUCKS
Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056
Applying ecological knowledge in decisionmaking through integrated socio-ecological modeling

Ecological models often incorporate the impact of pollution on ecosystems. Socio-political models link the decision-making processes with policy impacts that modify pollution-generating behaviors. We address the question, can an integrated socio-ecological closed-loop model be developed to help us understand the linkages and dynamics between the eco(sub)system and the socio-political subsystem? Our method involves examining models from the respective disciplines and identifying corresponding modules. Additional stocks and flows of materials and information were incorporated into the models. Our result is an integrated socio-ecological model. The model was applied to a specific watershed, Mill Creek (Cincinnati, Ohio), to evaluate its usefulness in understanding the role of ecological feedback in shaping public policy. Based on the model, specific roles for ecological knowledge in changing policy-development process rates in the watershed were identified. High leverage roles for knowledge include facilitating policy-oriented learning and utilizing external system events. Key Words: policy, model, knowledge, ecosystem, watershed
Theoretical Ecology Section