Talk Title and Abstract
Title: Evolutionary game theory for better environmental decisions
Abstract: Human activities profoundly shape ecological processes, often determining whether ecosystems thrive or face collapse. With many ecosystems at risk of extinction, urgent conservation action is needed. However, current environmental policy frameworks typically assume that both ecosystems and stakeholders remain relatively stable, and decision-support tools are built on this assumption. In reality, ecosystems are highly adaptive, and poorly designed policies can trigger rapid, unforeseen evolutionary shifts with significant ecological and social consequences. This presents a challenge for conservation, as policies can inadvertently undermine or reverse their intended outcomes.
In this talk, she will explore how game-theoretic models and evolutionary theory can enhance environmental policymaking. She will highlight how stakeholders’ strategic behavior and ecosystems’ adaptive responses to management interventions must be incorporated into policy design. Drawing on recent advances in evolutionary biology, She will present a mathematical framework that accounts for both ecological and social system dynamics, enabling policymakers to anticipate and respond to evolving challenges. This framework can identify which interventions are likely to yield long-term benefits, even in the face of rapid ecological and behavioral changes.
By focusing on the equilibria of managed systems, this approach offers actionable insights into the structure of viable policy interventions. Ultimately, this work provides a new lens for understanding how to design robust conservation strategies that effectively navigate the complexities of both human and ecological evolution, guiding policymakers in efficiently managing a diverse range of natural systems.