Achieving the promise of integration in social-ecological research: a review and prospectus

Ecology and Society: a journal of integrative science for resilience and sustainability

Kerrie A Wilson,¹  Matthew J Selinske,¹  MorenaMills,²  AnaNuno,³  Nathan J Bennett,⁹  Fraser A Januchowski-Hartley,⁹  HenryTravers,^1,10  DavidGill,^1,11  Carina A Wyborn,^1,14  CeciliaLarrosa,^1,15  NeilCarter,^1,16  SarahBekessy,^2,20  Christopher D Ives,^2,21  Angela M Guerrero,^2,21 

[1] ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The University of Queensland;Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, California, USA;Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Science, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Australia;College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana;Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore;Department of Biosciences, College of Science, Swansea University, Swansea, UK;Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford;Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University;Luc Hoffmann Institute;Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Beaufort, North Carolina, USA;University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France;ARC Centre of Excellence for Environmental Decisions, The University of Queensland;Centre for Ecology and Conservation, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK;Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London;Human-Environment Systems Center, Boise State University;Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada;Interdisciplinary Centre for Conservation Science, Department of Zoology, University of Oxford;Interdisciplinary Conservation Science Research Group, School of Global, Urban and Social Studies, RMIT University;Luc Hoffmann Institute;National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC), Annapolis, Maryland, USA;School of Biological Sciences, The University of Queensland;School of Geography, University of Nottingham, UK;UMR 248 MARBEC, IRD-CNRS-UM-IFREMER 9190, UMR 250 ENTROPIE, Université Montpellier, Montpellier, France

关键词: human-environment systems;    interdisciplinary;    social-ecological systems;    stakeholder participation;    sustainability science;   

DOI  :  10.5751/ES-10232-230338

学科分类：生物科学（综合）

来源: Resilience Alliance Publications

【 摘 要 】

An integrated understanding of both social and ecological aspects of environmental issues is essential to address pressing sustainability challenges. An integrated social-ecological systems perspective is purported to provide a better understanding of the complex relationships between humans and nature. Despite a threefold increase in the amount of social-ecological research published between 2010 and 2015, it is unclear whether these approaches have been truly integrative. We conducted a systematic literature review to investigate the conceptual, methodological, disciplinary, and functional aspects of social-ecological integration. In general, we found that overall integration is still lacking in social-ecological research. Some social variables deemed important for addressing sustainability challenges are underrepresented in social-ecological studies, e.g., culture, politics, and power. Disciplines such as ecology, urban studies, and geography are better integrated than others, e.g., sociology, biology, and public administration. In addition to ecology and urban studies, biodiversity conservation plays a key brokerage role in integrating other disciplines into social-ecological research. Studies founded on systems theory have the highest rates of integration. Highly integrative studies combine different types of tools, involve stakeholders at appropriate stages, and tend to deliver practical recommendations. Better social-ecological integration must underpin sustainability science. To achieve this potential, future social-ecological research will require greater attention to the following: the interdisciplinary composition of project teams, strategic stakeholder involvement, application of multiple tools, incorporation of both social and ecological variables, consideration of bidirectional relationships between variables, and identification of implications and articulation of clear policy recommendations.

【 授权许可】

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