| Despite growing interest in conservation and reestablishment of ecological connectivity, few
studies have explored its context-specific social-ecological outcomes. In this study, we integrated
two modeling approaches, mental modeling of stakeholder perceptions and individual-based
ecological modeling of a species of concern, Yellowstone cutthroat trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii
bouvieri), to explore the social and ecological outcomes to changing stream connectivity in the
Teton River drainage in Idaho, USA. The aggregation of mental models revealed gaps and
linkages among different types of stakeholders, and emphasized the importance of knowledge
sharing among stakeholders to strengthen decision-making abilities. Additionally, the results
from the individual-based models suggested that the potential for a large, migratory life history
form, in addition to self-preference mating, had the strongest effects on outcomes for
Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Together, these results provided a rich SES context in order to
explore social-ecological outcomes to changing connectivity.
Key words: connectivity, Yellowstone cutthroat trout, social-ecological systems, stakeholders,
mental models, individual-based model |