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Complexity, Crash and Collapse of Chaos: Clues for Designing Sustainable Systems, with Focus on Grassland-Based Systems

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  • Johannes B. (Hans) Schiere

    (La Ventana, Steenwijkerweg 201, 8335 LG Witte Paarden, The Netherlands)

  • Pablo Gregorini

    (Faculty of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Lincoln University, P.O. Box 85084, Christchurch 7647, New Zealand)

Abstract

Terms such as system crash, collapse of chaos and complexity can help one understand change, also in biological, socio-economic and technical systems. These terms need, however, explanation for fruitful dialogue on design of sustainable systems. We start this paper on Grass Based (GB) systems, therefore, dwelling on these terms and notions as review for the insiders and to help interested ‘outsiders’. We also stress the need to use additional and/or new paradigms for understanding of the nature of nature. However, we show that many such ‘new’ paradigms were known for long time around the globe among philosophers and common men, giving reason to include quotes and examples from other cultures and eras. In the past few centuries, those paradigms have become hidden, perhaps, under impressive but short-term successes of more linear paradigms. Therefore, we list hang-ups on paradigms of those past few centuries. We then outline what is meant by ‘GB systems’, which exist in multiple forms/‘scapes’. Coping with such variation is perhaps the most central aspect of complexity. To help cope with this variation, the different (GB) systems can be arranged on spatial, temporal, and other scales in such a way that the arrangements form logical sequences (evolutions) of stable states and transitions of Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS). Together with other ways to handle complexity, we give examples of such arrangements to illustrate how one can (re-)imagine, (re-)cognize and manage initial chaotic behaviors and eventual ‘collapse’ of chaos into design and/or emergence of new systems. Then, we list known system behaviors, such as predator–prey cycles, adaptive cycles, lock-in, specialization and even tendency to higher (or lower) entropy. All this is needed to understand changes in management of evolving GB into multi-scapes. Integration of disciplines and paradigms indicates that a win-win is likely to be exception rather than rule. With the rules given in this paper, one can reset teaching, research, rural development, and policy agendas in GB-systems and other areas of life.

Suggested Citation

  • Johannes B. (Hans) Schiere & Pablo Gregorini, 2023. "Complexity, Crash and Collapse of Chaos: Clues for Designing Sustainable Systems, with Focus on Grassland-Based Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-43, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4356-:d:1084083
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jacob J. Krabbe, 1995. "Roscher’s organistic legacy," Journal of Economic Studies, Emerald Group Publishing, vol. 22(3/4/5), pages 159-170, September.
    2. van de Ven, G.W.J. & van Keulen, H., 2007. "A mathematical approach to comparing environmental and economic goals in dairy farming: Identifying strategic development options," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 94(2), pages 231-246, May.
    3. Ika Darnhofer, 2014. "Resilience and why it matters for farm management," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 41(3), pages 461-484.
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    Cited by:

    1. Richard Morris & Shannon Davis & Gwen-Aëlle Grelet & Crile Doscher & Pablo Gregorini, 2024. "A Model for Spatially Explicit Landscape Configuration and Ecosystem Service Performance, ESMAX: Model Description and Explanation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-23, January.
    2. Fabiellen C. Pereira & Stuart Charters & Carol M. S. Smith & Thomas M. R. Maxwell & Pablo Gregorini, 2023. "A Geospatial Modelling Approach to Assess the Capability of High-Country Stations in Delivering Ecosystem Services," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-18, June.

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