On the Meaning of “Coevolution” in Social-Ecological Studies

Researchers studying linked Social-Ecological Systems (SESs) often use the notion of coevolution in describing the relation between humans and the rest of nature. However, most descriptions of the concept of socio-ecological coevolution remain elusive and poorly articulated. The objective of the following paper is to further specify and enrich the meaning of “coevolution” in social-ecological studies. After a critical analysis of two accounts of coevolution in ecological economics, the paper uses the frameworks of Niche Construction Theory and the Geographic Mosaic Theory to define social-ecological coevolution as the reciprocal adaptation of human-social and ecological ensembles through human and ecological niche construction activities. In sum, this conceptual analysis suggests that an ecologization of Darwinian coevolution can bring clarity to profound functional integration that takes place between humans and ecological systems, and at the same time opens fruitful avenues for social-ecological research.

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Continuous integration in urban social-ecological systems science needs to allow for spacing co-existence

AMBIO ◽

10.1007/s13280-020-01449-y ◽

2021 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dagmar Haase

Keyword(s):

Urban Sustainability ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Urban Systems ◽

Systems Science ◽

Ecological Research ◽

Mutual Relationship ◽

Continuous Integration ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Interdisciplinary Journal

AbstractUrbanization brings benefits and burdens to both humans and nature. Cities are key systems for integrated social-ecological research and the interdisciplinary journal of Ambio has published ground-breaking contributions in this field. This reflection piece identifies and discusses integration of the human and natural spheres in urban social-ecological research using the following foundational papers as important milestones: Folke et al. (1997), Ernstson et al. (2010) and Andersson et al. (2014). These papers each take unique approaches that aim to uncover core properties—processes, structures, and actors—of urban systems and set them into mutual relationship. This piece will end with a forward-looking vision for the coming 50 years of urban sustainability and resilience study in Ambio.

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How to Concretize Research on the Coupling of Ecosystems to Human Activities? From Socioeconomic Indicators to Styles of Living and Acting

Nature and Culture ◽

10.3167/nc.2011.060302 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 218-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Jens Jetzkowitz ◽

Jörg Schneider

Keyword(s):

Research Strategy ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Alien Plants ◽

Plant Species Composition ◽

Socioeconomic Indicators ◽

Ecological Studies ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Interdisciplinary Research Project ◽

The Impact

Recent ecological studies have identified human activity as a relevant dimension of current evolutionary processes. However, most of these studies rely on socioeconomic indicators that consider the impact of activities on ecosystems but have only limited informative value on the effects of concrete patterns of action. This paper focuses on the concept of style as a tool for the study of the interface between society and nature. We exemplify our thesis with reference to changes in plant biodiversity in settlements, and start by summing up the methods and findings of our interdisciplinary research project that aimed to explain the distribution of native and alien plants. Since the findings indicate that styles of living and acting influence plant species composition, we apply the findings of our research strategy beyond the narrow focus of our study. Finally, we comment on methodological implications for the study of the societal aspects of social-ecological systems.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Marine reserves as linked social-ecological systems.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.2998960.2676058 ◽

2010 ◽

Author(s):

Ferdinando Boero ◽

Joachim Claudet

Keyword(s):

Marine Reserves ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological

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Systems theories

10.1093/oso/9780198793182.003.0008 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

Marc J. Stern

Keyword(s):

Social Networks ◽

Problem Solving ◽

Natural Resources ◽

Real World ◽

Common Pool Resources ◽

Ecological Systems ◽

Effective Governance ◽

Social Ecological Systems ◽

Social Ecological ◽

Real World Problem

This chapter covers systems theories relevant to understanding and working to enhance the resilience of social-ecological systems. Social-ecological systems contain natural resources, users of those resources, and the interactions between each. The theories in the chapter share lessons about how to build effective governance structures for common pool resources, how to facilitate the spread of worthwhile ideas across social networks, and how to promote collaboration for greater collective impacts than any one organization alone could achieve. Each theory is summarized succinctly and followed by guidance on how to apply it to real world problem solving.

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