#socio-ecological

[exotericenvironmentalism]

Really useful table (and article) about broad categories of uncertain knowledge in social and natural systems. Acknowledging that a lot of knowledge is uncertain, but nonetheless understanding ways to incorporate it (because it it is often important), is a hallmark of systems thinking- and central to dealing with complex social/ecological issues such as climate change.

Article Brugnach et al (2008) ‘Toward a Relational Concept of Uncertainty: about Knowing Too Little, Knowing Too Differently, and Accepting Not to Know’

[verolivotto]

Multi-stability vs stable systems in ecology and tipping points

Blending systems theory and ecology, the great Buzz Holling explains the studies that led to the discovery of tipping points in ecological regimes.

[verolivotto]

Reconnecting Humanity to the Biosphere and Planetary Opportunities

Folke et al., (2011) "Reconnecting to the Biosphere" AMBIO: A Journal of the Human Environment, 40:7: 719-738

In a globalized society, there are no ecosystems without people and no people that do not depend on ecosystem functioning. They are intertwined and thus, ecosystem services are generated by social–ecological systems. Social–ecological systems are dynamic and connected from the local to the global, in complex webs of interactions subject to gradual and abrupt changes. Dynamic and complex social–ecological systems require strategies that build resilience rather than attempting to control for optimal production and short-term gain in environments assumed to be relatively stable. The shift from people and nature as separated parts to interdependent social–ecological systems provides exciting opportunities for societal development in tune with the biosphere; a global sustainability agenda for humanity. In this article, we focus on the necessity and challenge of reconnecting humanity to the biosphere. It is argued that this is a fundamental prerequisite in the search of planetary opportunities that meet both global sustainability criteria and human development needs.

Reading articles by Folke always put me in a state of deep optimistic thoughtfulness (yes, planetary opportunities!) equally balanced with a daunting feeling of real-world derangement.

[resilienturbanisms]

Ecosystem Services are a Socio-Ecological Issue, not an Environmental Quality Question

October 31, 2012

I came across a thought-provoking article by Christopher Fisher in American Anthropology (2005) discussing demographics and landscape change in ancient Mexico.  He defines land degradation as the temporary or permanent decline in productive capacity of the land and further argues that environmental problems, in his case study at least, stem from human/social actions, not ecological ones.  It is the unintended consequences of our cultural decisions which have caused environmental concerns - thus, this is a social problem, not an ecological one.

To imbibe his theory, our current ecological and environmental problems (less ecosystem services, less resiliency) stem from how we use the landscape.  He shows that environmental changes are/can be initiated by humans.  These mediations or interventions, usually infrastructure related, are accretionary - built up over time and upon one another.  Johnson and Lewis (1995) calls this creative destruction.  

I interpret this as a lack of stewardship or missing continued human intervention/maintenance which thus cause the environmental problems.  

The infrastructural mediations we have created over time, a cultural (social-ecological) system integrated into the landscape, has not been maintained or stewarded effectively, thus environmental (land) degradation occurs (i.e. loss of ecosystem services). Thus, yes, it is a cultural/social problem.  I hope to expand upon this as it makes sense - well, most of the time it makes sense ....