Ecosystem services in coupled social–ecological systems: Closing the cycle of service provision and societal feedback

Abstract

Both the ‘cascade model’ of ecosystem service provision and the Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response framework individually contribute to the understanding of human–nature interactions in social–ecological systems (SES). Yet, as several points of criticism show, they are limited analytical tools when it comes to reproducing complex cause–effect relationships in such systems. However, in this paper, we point out that by merging the two models, they can mutually enhance their comprehensiveness and overcome their individual conceptual deficits. Therefore we closed a cycle of ecosystem service provision and societal feedback by rethinking and reassembling the core elements of both models. That way, we established a causal sequence apt to describe the causes of change to SES, their effects and their consequences. Finally, to illustrate its functioning we exemplified and discussed our approach based on a case study conducted in the Alpujarra de la Sierra in southern Spain.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13280-015-0651-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Contributing to the cultural ecosystem services and human wellbeing debate: a case study application on indicators and linkages

“…This demonstration invokes the theory of resistance, resilience and stability of ecosystems (Müller et al 2010;Müller et al 2016) and elevates a more compelling debate of the interlinkages between CES, wellbeing and the DPSIR model (a tripartite framework). Similarly, Nassl & Löffler (2015) postulate that some changes caused by anthro-drivers do not reach thresholds capable of disrupting the ecological system. This means that the changes are manageable within the existing environmental action and policy framework.…”

“…The interconnectivity between CES and HWB was adopted by the 'ecosystem services cascade' (Haines-Young & Potschin 2010) and the cascade model was merged with the DPSIR model (Nassl & Löffler 2015). The version of the 'ecosystem service cascade' by Haines-Young & Potschin (2010) was preferred because it is simple by design, and adequately provides visualized details of the stepwise connection from the landscape structures (especially for the highly modified urban and peri-urban areas) and processes on the one hand, through function Titel... biodiversity management action.…”

“…The version of the 'ecosystem service cascade' by Haines-Young & Potschin (2010) was preferred because it is simple by design, and adequately provides visualized details of the stepwise connection from the landscape structures (especially for the highly modified urban and peri-urban areas) and processes on the one hand, through function Titel... biodiversity management action. The six pillars of data were analysed in SPSS and Excel and their interconnectivity was demonstrated within the revised DPSIR model framework according to Nassl & Löffler (2015). A stepwise representation of the methods and methodology for the study is portrayed in Fig.…”

Combining eight research areas to foster the uptake of ecosystem‐based management in fresh waters

“…This can be problematic, especially for ecosystems that are less well represented by proxy land use values, as is the case for fresh waters. Context‐specific models that consider social–ecological processes and their linkages with specific services relevant in time and space, should lead to more holistic assessments (Garcia‐Prats, del Campo, & Pulido‐Velazquez, ; Martínez‐Fernández et al, ; Nassl & Löffler, ).…”

Interlinking ecosystem services and Ostrom’s framework through orientation in sustainability research

“…However, current research focuses largely on the directional flow of ES provided to humans, while human actions affecting ecosystems have received less attention (Comberti et al 2015, Davies et al 2015. Additionally, governance mechanisms and institutions that influence the provision and appropriation of ES are sparse (Nassl andLöffler 2015, Primmer et al 2015).…”