Adjacent ecosystems such as temperate deciduous and coniferous forests, savannas and semi-deserts, mangroves and rainforests, or seagrass beds and coral reefs, are often functionally connected through the geographic features (e.g. rivers or estuaries), shared biota (e.g. foraging or migrating animals) or human interactions. These ecosystems are typically inhabited by distinct communities with diverse cultural and management prectices, making their protection complex and challenging.

This Yarning Circle seeks to develop a comparative, visually grounded understanding of governance evolution in such a complex (social-ecological) system. It will co-design conceptual “root maps” that illustrate resilience and transformation pathways. This session will bring together researchers, community representatives, and artists to explore evolutionary governance as a lens to understand the dynamic entanglements at the interface of adjacent systems.

Through guided dialogue and participatory systems-mapping, participants will trace how rules, values, and ecological feedback loops co-evolve across system boundaries. Drawing on case studies from diverse biomes, the session will identify leverage points for adaptive governance that respects local knowledge and maintains ecological integrity.

The Circle also seeks to align participants’ perspectives and highlight the values and interconnections vital to these systems. It will explore the potential of social network analysis to better understand stakeholder relationships.

The 90-minute session will provide space for sharing insights, exchanging ideas, and fostering collaboration on cross-(eco)system governance management. It accommodates 5 to 30 participates and requires no specific room setup.