Advancing sustainability through mainstreaming a social-ecological systems perspective

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearchpeer-review

Authors

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

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.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCurrent Opinion in Environmental Sustainability
Volume14
Pages (from-to)144-149
Number of pages6
ISSN1877-3435
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 06.2015