Classical theory on the commons holds that rules are fundamental to sustainability. However, open access may be present in many sustainable socioecological systems. Here, we explore the interaction between environmental unpredictability and cooperation in a fishery in the Pantanal wetland, Brazil. We show that a variable annual flood pulse combined with channel blockages results in a high turnover in fishing grounds. To counter this variability, fishers openly share information about fishing areas with all community members, but are highly territorial with neighboring communities. We argue that this open access within communities but common property between communities represents a system of limited open access and, using a mathematical model, suggest that such a system is favored under conditions of moderate competition and high levels of resource unpredictability. Failing to take into account the social norms that underpin limited open access systems may undermine conservation interventions.

中文翻译：

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社会生态系统中有限的开放获取：社区如何应对环境的不可预测性？

关于公地的经典理论认为，规则是可持续性的基础。但是，在许多可持续的社会生态系统中可能存在开放获取。在这里，我们探索了巴西潘塔纳尔湿地渔业中环境不可预测性与合作之间的相互作用。我们表明，可变的年度洪水脉动与航道阻塞相结合会导致渔场的高周转率。为了应对这种变化，渔民与所有社区成员公开共享有关捕鱼区的信息，但与邻近社区高度地域共享。我们认为，社区内部的这种开放访问但社区之间的共有财产代表了有限的开放访问的系统，并且使用数学模型，这表明在中等竞争和资源高度不可预测的条件下，这种系统受到青睐。如果不考虑支持有限的开放获取系统的社会规范，可能会破坏保护措施。