Res Lunae: Characterizing Diverse Lunar Resource Systems Using the Social-Ecological System Framework

This article extends the rigorous, interdisciplinary investigation of social-ecological systems (SESs) to an emerging resource system, the Moon. The Lunar Resources Database (LRD) project showcases the diversity and complexity of lunar SESs in support of ongoing global lunar governance and policy discussions. We find that many characteristics that lead to successful self-governance and collective action in terrestrial resource systems are present in the lunar context. An initial analysis of 5 likely lunar resource systems highlights their differences and foreshadows the need for diverse management regimes and modes of governance. We propose that the ongoing analysis of complex social-ecological lunar systems through the LRD is a valuable contribution to lunar governance and policy development. Finally, we outline an institutional analysis framework of conventional and new modes of governance within the context of the Moon as future work is required to progress evidence-based research to inform coherent, timely, sustainable, and equitable lunar governance.