Visualization of causation in social-ecological systems

In social-ecological systems (SES), where social and ecological processes are intertwined, phenomena usually complex involve multiple interdependent causes. Figuring out causal relationships is thus challenging but needed to better understand then affect or manage such systems. One important widely used tool identify communicate visualization. Here, we present several common visualization types: diagrams of objects arrows, X-Y plots, X-Y-Z discuss them in view the particular challenges visualizing causation as SES. We use a simple demonstration model create compare exemplary visualizations add more elaborate examples from literature. This highlights implicit strengths limitations types facilitates adequate choices when Thereupon, recommend further suitable ways account for causation, figures with panels, merging different one figure. provides caveats against oversimplifications. Yet, any single figure can rarely capture all relevant an therefore need focus on specific questions, phenomena, subsystems, often also causes effects that shall be visualized. Our recommendations allow selecting combining they complement each other, support comprehensive understanding, do justice existing complexity lets realize their potential play role identifying communicating causation.