1. Maintain diversity and redundancy

When confronted with disturbance, the existence of functional redundancy means that, while some components of the system may be lost, those that remain compensate for the loss. When components within the same functional group exhibit diversity in their response to a certain disturbance, redundancy is considered even more valuable. Diversity and redundancy provide options for responding to change and confronting uncertainty, thereby building resilience.

2. Manage connectivity

Connectivity in SES refers to both the nature and strength of interactions between system components. Connectivity can positively or negatively influence a system. High connectivity is considered to be important in aiding recovery following a disturbance but disturbance also spreads faster in highly connected systems. Therefore, the key is managing an appropriate level of connectivity given the specific context of the system.

3. Manage slow variables and feedbacks

Managing slowly changing variables and positive and negative feedbacks that influence the configuration of a system is critical to avoid crossing a threshold. Feedbacks that maintain desirable system configurations should be strengthened and the key slow variables should be monitored for their proximity to thresholds. Additionally, governance structures capable of effectively responding to monitoring data must be established.

4. Foster CAS thinking

Although fostering CAS thinking may not directly enhance the resilience of a system, it does contribute to building it. Considering SES as CAS requires disengaging from steady-state reductionist thinking and accepting unpredictability, uncertainty, and variability.Changing how complex systems are understood is the first step in altering behaviour in favour of practices that build resilience.

5. Encourage learning and experimentation

Uncertainty and the dynamic nature of complex SES require that learning remain an ongoing part of managing a system to enhance resilience. Potential mechanisms for encouraging learning and experimentation include adaptive management, adaptive co-management, and adaptive governance. Also highlighted in these approaches is the importance of knowledge sharing among actors and across scales.

6. Broaden participation

Engaging relevant stakeholders in the management of SES builds resilience by bringing together diverse types and sources of knowledge. Stakeholder engagement enhances capacity for collective action through building a shared understanding and improving trust and legitimacy. However, participation of all relevant stakeholders in all stages of management is not always feasible or desirable. Broad participation is particularly useful when management needs and priorities are being debated and determined.

7. Promote polycentric governance systems

Polycentric governance helps ensure that problems are addressed at the appropriate scale, by the right individuals. Polycentric governance enhances resilience by improving connectivity, creating modularity, enabling broader levels of participation and providing opportunities for learning and experimentation, improving potential for response diversity, and by building redundancy that can minimize and correct governance errors.