Communication and Conservation

In a game lab setting it was found that shared resources (such as a commons or marine fishery) were most sustainably managed when to harvesters could communicate with each other and establish shared rules.

When given a chance to communicate, however, participants improve their joint outcomes greatly -- and the effect is lasting even when communication is no longer possible, she says, adding, that being able to use costly fines against each other did not improve harvest output.

It was also found that the whole sustainable system broke down when only one or two players ignored the rules.