System thinking is a scientific approach that starts with the whole. It is used for the design of individual biosphere reserves but also for connecting it to the whole international network. It takes into account complex relationships as well as “soft” variables that underpin human emotions, motivation and behavior thus providing a holistic approach to complex policy and social issues. From this perspective, biosphere reserves consist of various components which reflect complex relationships between natural and socio-economic factors, between physical structures and human values, between cultural space and natural landscape, political ecology and creative ecology. The application of system thinking is carried out from the preparation stage of nomination of a biosphere reserve to design, management planning and implementation. Applying system thinking to the design of a biosphere reserve allows to identify all elements of the larger ecosystem. In the case of CBR, this approach enables the connection between the ancient town, influential to the development of the whole ecosystem as a historic port and its cultural heritage in relation to the marine protected area.
In CBR, the ecological interconnection between the heritage city and the protected area were clear and the design had to consider the interface of the estuary between the cultural systems (settlements) along Thu Bon River, the mangroves and the sea.
(1) System thinking is a tool for managers and policy makers to outline appropriate solutions to practical problems.
(2) System thinking differentiates fundamental problems from their symptoms and facilitates both short-term interventions and long-term sustainable strategies.