Commons frequently constitute specific small-scale refugia and support survival of certain biota. Common pool resources contribute significantly to enhancing the patchiness of landscapes and thereby play an important role in sustaining diversity of species. Consequently, at a broader level of the habitat, common pool resources provide stability to and enhance the resilience of biophysical communities during disturbances. So also, the nature of interactions between people’s institutions and patterns of resource use also influence the resilience of ecosystems.
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Biodiversity
Commons of various kinds (like lakes, wetlands, mangroves, forests, pastures, etc.) offer niches for a wide variety of species and communities to co-exist with continuing human use. Examples of conflict as well as complementarity in the ways these resources are used and the persistence of different biota and communities may be discussed here.
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Fire Ecology
Fire is not very well understood and frequently misrepresented. Within a landscape, users often have differing relationships with or understanding about fire, which may sometimes be conflicting in nature. So also, policy makers, foresters, development agencies all may have their own understanding of the role and relevance of fire. All these perspectives may be brought in here for discussion.
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Invasive Species
Invasive species have had a long history of presence and a direct impact on the commons. It is important to document the complex ecosystem and land use changes frequently associated with their spread. Study of invasives like lantana, acacia, etc. can be a useful tool to trace changes in governance and management practices over time. Experiences of intervention, eradication and management may also be discussed here.
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Regulatory Functions
Commons are thought to provide important eco-system services and also perform regulatory functions. Their health and management influence the functioning of the larger system within which they are located. Discussions on how commons affect micro-climatic conditions and impact resource-based livelihoods may be taken up here.
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Restoration ecology
Landscapes and habitats that have been degraded or altered in adverse ways are a familiar occurrence in different parts of the country. Restoring and making such landscape useful is an important challenge. The field of restoration ecology focuses on scientific and institutional interventions that can be used to regenerate ecosystems. Our understanding of restoration ecology is now informed by changes in the way ecosystems themselves are coming to be conceived as dynamic systems constantly under change rather than in a state of pristine equilibrium. Discussions and case-studies regarding the need, benefits, or even negative aspects of restoration could be taken up here.
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