Analysis of structural characteristics of social capital for increasing the resilience of social- ecological systems (Case study: Kalateh Rudbar, Semnan province)

Abstract

Researchers studying on adaptation and resilience of systems mainly seek to reduce the vulnerability of extremely complex social-ecological systems against potential changes. Since major portion of natural resources of Iran is interrelated with various users and social groups. Present study focused upon the necessity of studying structural characteristics of social capital of rangeland users in Kalateh Rudbar region of Damghan county. In this way, we used the network analysis method for improving the resilience of social-ecological systems. Accordingly, applying survey method and through interview with target groups and filling in network analysis questionnaire, interpersonal trust and collaboration ties of local beneficiaries were investigated. Applying whole network method for pin pointing local beneficiaries, all rangeland users of three traditional boundaries i.e. Espiro, Goormomenin, and Changi in Kalateh Rudbar region of Damghan county in Semnan province were interrogated. It was found out that the level of social capital among rangeland users of Espiro traditional boundary was high which implies that the resilience of social system against natural system changes is higher. In Changi and Goormomenin traditional boundaries, social capital and cohesion were estimated weak. Therefore, the policy of encouraging people to join to collective activities in order to cope with natural hazards including draught and inappropriate utilization must be put into practice. It can be inferred that the resilience of rangeland users against natural hazards in Espiro traditional boundary was higher than that of the two other boundaries; therefore, implementation of collaborative management in this traditional boundary was facilitated.