Abstract
Principles for the wise use of wetlands have been internationally endorsed through the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment (MA) framework to balance the needs of people (eg. maintaining sustainable livelihoods) with wetland sustainability. However, many factors may constrain the implementation of wise use strategies, such as varying interpretations of what constitutes wetlands, lack of policy coordination, lack of capacity within communities of place, and poor communication between decision makers and local communities. A mental models approach is one tool that may help to facilitate the practicality of the MA's framework on wetland wise use in the Pemalang Coastal area, Central Java, Indonesia. Through this approach, people's conceptualization of complex systems can be identified and be addressed to overcome barriers and improve opportunities for the effective implementation of wise use. This paper describes an approach to identify mental models in decision makers and local communities to facilitate the practicality of the MA's framework for wise use of wetlands in the study area. The method involves eliciting information regarding worldviews, belief systems and values of wetlands using structured and open ended interviews and questionnaires. The barriers and opportunities to implementing wise use principles also have broader implications for maintaining sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities in Indonesia.