A General Framework for Analyzing Sustainability of Social-Ecological Systems

Abstract

A major problem worldwide is the potential loss of fisheries, forests, and water resources. Understanding of the processes that lead to improvements in or deterioration of natural resources is limited, because scientific disciplines use different concepts and languages to describe and explain complex social-ecological systems (SESs). Without a common framework to organize findings, isolated knowledge does not cumulate. Until recently, accepted theory has assumed that resource users will never self-organize to maintain their resources and that governments must impose solutions. Research in multiple disciplines, however, has found that some government policies accelerate resource destruction, whereas some resource users have invested their time and energy to achieve sustainability. A general framework is used to identify 10 subsystem variables that affect the likelihood of self-organization in efforts to achieve a sustainable SES.

Science with Society in the Anthropocene

“…In line with several strands of the sustainability science community (Clark and Dickson 2003;Haberl et al 2004;Folke 2006;Ostrom 2009), human and environmental (comprising natural and technical) systems in this approach are conceptualized as coupled and inextricably intertwined. Thus, a coupled HES perspective is needed to thoroughly examine and describe the structure, dynamics, and properties of systems and potential sustainable transitions (Gunderson and Holling 2002;Leshner 2002;Raven 2002;Liu et al 2007a, b;Rowe 2007;Ostrom 2009).…”

“…Thus, a coupled HES perspective is needed to thoroughly examine and describe the structure, dynamics, and properties of systems and potential sustainable transitions (Gunderson and Holling 2002;Leshner 2002;Raven 2002;Liu et al 2007a, b;Rowe 2007;Ostrom 2009). Since societal actors are often bound to diverse proximate issues, research questions based on societal input alone could be too narrow, focusing only on specific interests.…”

Reconnecting to the Biosphere

“…However, if globalization operates as if disconnected from the biosphere it may undermine the capacity of the life-supporting ecosystems to sustain such adaptations and transformations. Shifting from managing natural resources one by one and treating the environment as an externality to stewardship of interdependent social-ecological systems is a prerequisite for long-term human wellbeing (Berkes and Folke 1998;Ostrom 2009;Chapin et al 2011).…”

Expanding the role for psychology in addressing environmental challenges.

“…Once the problem has been defined, psychologists are key to understanding the environmentally significant behaviors, perceptions, motivations, and Psychology and Environmental Challenges 6 (in)abilities that contribute to the problem, and to identifying and integrating human dimensions into solutions. More fundamentally, psychologists can help reframe the situation so that humans are not broadly defined solely as the source of environmental problem -and thus as a vague external factor disrupting healthy ecosystems -but as an integrated component of any ecosystem, or 'socio-ecological system' (Ostrom, 2009). As such, humans not only exert influence on, but are also influenced by, the ecological environment.…”