Seed exchange networks: metrics for examining the resilience of social-ecological agricultural systems

Abstract

Agricultural systems are dynamic social-ecological systems which are rarely examined under relational approaches. The analysis of seed exchange networks represents a growing empirical pathway to relational thinking for examining the resilience of social-ecological agricultural systems and their dynamic cycles. We conducted a literature review to (i) explore the advances of seed exchange network research, and (ii) identify and synthesize the network metrics used for examining social-ecological structures linking human and other-than-human actors to understand the resilience of agricultural systems. Complementarily, we explored what a relational approach to seed exchange network analysis might entail. Our work shows a growing use of network analysis to explore coupled social-ecological relations in agricultural systems. However, in the past quarter century, most seed exchange case studies often omitted the inherent relational nature of network data and lacked recognition of the agency of other-than-human entities in seed exchange networks. We identified over 20 network metrics broadly used in network analysis, including structural and locational metrics such as ‘density’, ‘modularity’, and ‘centrality’. These metrics have the potential to inform about the dynamics that may either enhance or constrain the resilience of agricultural systems. For example, ‘density’ and ‘centrality’ can reveal pathways of agrobiodiversity access and key actors, respectively. This information may enhance the efficiency of agrobiodiversity flows in agricultural systems. Finally, we discuss some practical implications of adopting a relational approach to seed exchange network analysis to better understand people-agrobiodiversity relations under local, regional, and global changes.

Keywords

• Seb O’Connor
• Agricultural systems
• exchange networks
• network analysis
• relational thinking
• resilience