Advancing sustainability through mainstreaming a social–ecological systems perspective

Fischer, Joern;Gardner, Toby A.;Bennett, Elena M.;Balvanera, Patricia;Biggs, Reinette;Carpenter, Stephen;Daw, Tim;Folke, Carl;Hill, Rosemary;Hughes, Terry P.;Luthe, Tobias;Maass, Manuel;Meacham, Megan;Norström, Albert V.;Peterson, Garry;Queiroz, Cibele;Seppelt, Ralf;Spierenburg, Marja;Tenhunen, John

Terry Hughes

Abstract

The concept of social–ecological systems is useful for understanding the interlinked dynamics of environmental and societal change. The concept has helped facilitate: (1) increased recognition of the dependence of humanity on ecosystems; (2) improved collaboration across disciplines, and between science and society; (3) increased methodological pluralism leading to improved systems understanding; and (4) major policy frameworks considering social–ecological interactions. Despite these advances, the potential of a social–ecological systems perspective to improve sustainability outcomes has not been fully realized. Key priorities are to: (1) better understand and govern social–ecological interactions between regions; (2) pay greater attention to long-term drivers; (3) better understand the interactions among power relations, justice, and ecosystem stewardship; and (4) develop a stronger science–society interface.

Journal

Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability

Publication Name

N/A

Volume

ISBN/ISSN

1877-3443

Edition

N/A

Issue

N/A

Pages Count

Location

N/A

Publisher

Elsevier

Publisher Url

N/A

Publisher Location

N/A

Publish Date

N/A

Url

N/A

Date

N/A

EISSN

N/A

DOI

10.1016/j.cosust.2015.06.002