Integrating Key Insights of Sociological Risk Theory into the Ecosystem Services Framework

Abstract

Environmental risks give urgency to the need to understand the society–nature relationship. While the ecosystem services (ES) framework allows analysis of interrelationships between biophysical supply and human demand for natural resources, further research is needed to understand what drives societal demand for ES. Here, I explore how incorporation of the key sociological theories of risk (systems theory, ‘world risk society’, and cultural theory of risk) can advance this understanding. By examining these theories, the following key insights were identified: (1) A deeper understanding of societal structures and risk perception helps to understand culturally driven patterns of ES demand; (2) sociological ES research must use inter- and transdisciplinary methods to understand the drivers of ES demand and risk perception. It must also link this understanding to the natural sciences’ knowledge of the drivers of ES supply if it is to identify new instruments of environmental governance; (3) while anthropocentric in character, the ES framework, especially one that is modified by the concept of risk, enables society to reflect on its role as a proactive part of a social–ecological system, rather than a passive victim of nature’s whims. This change in perspective may prove to be a key step in achieving sustainable development.

Cultural worldviews consistently explain bundles of ecosystem service prioritisation across rural Germany

“…The integration of sociological cultural theory of risk represents a new approach in ES research that may enlighten how ES priorities and demand are shaped by cultural worldviews (Peter, 2020). In this study, a closer look at the identified cultural types provides valuable information about what motivates ES prioritisation.…”

“…The cultural theory of risk assumes that our perceptions of nature and society, and the risks associated with these perspectives, are socioculturally constructed (Renn, 2008). We extended this assumption to propose that the theories' 'grid-group typology' (Thompson et al, 1990) can be used as a conceptual framework to understand how stakeholders' cultural worldviews drive ES priorities and demand (Peter, 2020).…”

Is the Spanish Population Pro-Conservation or Pro-Utilitarian towards Threatened Flora? Social Analysis on the Willingness to Protect Biodiversity

“…This literature focuses mainly on social vulnerability, resilience and adaptation (SVRA) [6]. We must pay attention to the risk to society [7,8], documented in relation to the environment since the end of the last century [9,10]. This is known as the "mitigation" stage [11].…”

An Analysis of the Worldwide Research on the Socio-Cultural Valuation of Forest Ecosystem Services

“…As noted by Himes-Cornell et al [74], valuations of ecosystem services generally focus on "what the value of an ecosystem service is", leaving what people actually value about that service in the background. In this context, sociology and its theoretical input can help to understand how socio-cultural worldviews held by stakeholders influence ES priorities and demands [75]. In this line, there are several sociological theories that have been studied in the context of ES, for the consideration of intangible dimensions such as, for example, the "social theory and Bourdieu's concept of habitus", which seeks to understand the process by which relational values are socially constructed and shared [76].…”