TY - JOUR

T1 - Leveraging Biodiversity Action From Plural Values

T2 - Transformations of Governance Systems

AU - Leventon, Julia

AU - Duşe, Ioana A.

AU - Horcea-Milcu, Andra Ioana

N1 - Funding Information: The authors would like to thank Berta Martin-Lopez for her early contribution to launching the ideas that finally evolved into this manuscript. The authors also acknowledge and thank all project members for their ideas and input in the early stages of this work, even where they are not listed as authors. Full details of project members and their research are available at https://leveragepoints.org A-IH-M acknowledges EU funding through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie grant number 840207. Funding. This research was funded by the Volkswagen Stiftung and the Niedersächsisches Ministerium für Wissenschaft und Kultur (Grant No. A112269). A-IH-M acknowledges European Union?s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme through the Marie Sklodowska?Curie grant number 840207. Publisher Copyright: © Copyright © 2021 Leventon, Duşe and Horcea-Milcu.

PY - 2021/6/4

Y1 - 2021/6/4

N2 - In this paper, we argue that leveraging plural values into action for biodiversity requires a focus on transforming the biodiversity governance system. We draw on Donella Meadows’ concept of Leverage Points, which outlines the “depth” of intervention in order to shift a system toward sustainability. Engaging with deep leverage points (system intent and goals) is argued to lead to greater transformation than engaging with shallow leverage points (system design and materials). We outline how embracing plural values of biodiversity requires changes at deeper systems properties within governance systems to create space to reflect diversity in values and knowledge systems, and move away from a focus on commodification of nature’s contributions to people. We point toward political and policy sciences to highlight frameworks and concepts for understanding governance system transformation. We conclude with a call for meaningful engagement with such sciences in ongoing research.

AB - In this paper, we argue that leveraging plural values into action for biodiversity requires a focus on transforming the biodiversity governance system. We draw on Donella Meadows’ concept of Leverage Points, which outlines the “depth” of intervention in order to shift a system toward sustainability. Engaging with deep leverage points (system intent and goals) is argued to lead to greater transformation than engaging with shallow leverage points (system design and materials). We outline how embracing plural values of biodiversity requires changes at deeper systems properties within governance systems to create space to reflect diversity in values and knowledge systems, and move away from a focus on commodification of nature’s contributions to people. We point toward political and policy sciences to highlight frameworks and concepts for understanding governance system transformation. We conclude with a call for meaningful engagement with such sciences in ongoing research.

KW - biodiversity

KW - leverage points

KW - natures contribution to people

KW - political science

KW - sustainability transformations

KW - systems thinking

KW - Ecosystems Research

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85108382780&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/ccda25e4-4440-3f93-b5f4-099abec6ec7f/

U2 - 10.3389/fevo.2021.609853

DO - 10.3389/fevo.2021.609853

M3 - Scientific review articles

AN - SCOPUS:85108382780

VL - 9

JO - Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

JF - Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

SN - 2296-701X

M1 - 609853

ER -