Embracing Complexity the Challenge of the Ecosystem Approach

Kay, James J.; Schneider, Eric D.

doi:10.1007/978-94-011-0451-7_4

Cited by 79 publications

(77 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…This approach naturally lends itself to defining hierarchical or nested systems, which are characterized by elements interacting horizontally with each other and vertically with larger organizing structures. Cities, like natural ecosystems, can be characterized as complex open systems [8,9] and may dominate or be more equal parts of a larger network of other urban areas [10]. Alberti et al [3] extend that globally and, certainly at regional scales, environments are humandominated and the study of social-ecological systems is necessary to accurately describe social and ecological processes.…”

Section: Cities As Complex Social-ecological Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking a unified urban systems theory

Coelho¹,

Rüth²

2006

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 93

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Cities are a key driver of environmental and climatic change, and at the same time significantly impacted by that change. Vulnerability varies spatially and over time, and the complex relationships among climate, ecosystem health, and socioeconomic development call for an integrated theoretical framework within which to study the world's cities. Advances in the fields of industrial ecology, urban metabolism and urban ecology shed light on these relationships. However, much of the current research is found in the form of case studies. Though detailed and relevant, the lack of a cohesive theory precludes standardization of and comparison between methodical experiments pertaining to the relationship between urban systems and global climate change. Aiming to identify and connect underlying issues, and to drive research forward, this study is a synthesis of key emergent theories and continuities in the body of research surrounding urban systems and global change. Thinking of cities as complex open systems integrated within a larger environmental and social context brings us closer to understanding how cities impact/are impacted by climate change and variability. The physical realism and interdisciplinary nature of a unified urban systems theory will facilitate more grounded and effective policy to shape and govern our cities.

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Section: Cities As Complex Social-ecological Systemsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking a unified urban systems theory

Coelho¹,

Rüth²

2006

WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment, Vol 93

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“…Kay and Schneider ( 1994) define ecological integrity as encompassing 'ecosystem health, the ability to maintain normal operations under normal environmental conditions', the ability 'to cope with environmental stress', and the ability 'to continue the process of selforganization on an ongoing basis'. Ecosystem health has been used to mean many sorts of things (Costanza et ul., 1992) but is more or less a corollary of ecosystem integrity.…”

Section: Ecosystem Management -What Is It?mentioning

confidence: 99%

Concepts and issues in marine ecosystem management

Larkin

1996

Rev Fish Biol Fisheries

242

144

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Ecosystem management means different things to different people, but the underlying concept is similar to that of the long-standin, (7 ethic of conservation. Current interest in marine ecosystem management stems from concerns about overexploitation of world fisheries and the perceived need for broader perspectives in fisheries management. A central scientific question is whether the effects of harvesting (top down) or changes in the physical environment (bottom up) are responsible for major changes in abundance.Historically, ecology, fisheries biology, oceanography, fisheries management and the fishing industry have gone somewhat separate ways. Since the 198Os, increasing attention has been given to multispecies aspects of fisheries, the linkages between oceanography and fish abundance and more holistic approaches to fisheries management.Sorting out the causes and effects of fluctuations in fish abundance is complicated by the lack of reliability of fisheries statistics. Discards, dishonesty and the inherent logistic difficulties of collecting statistics all combine to confuse interpretation. The overcapacity of fishing fleets and their unrestricted use are widely recognized as a contributing cause to overfishing and declines in fish stocks in many parts of the world.Ecosystem management, as shorthand for more holistic approaches to resource management, is, from a fisheries management perspective, centred on multispecies interactions in the context of a variable physical and chemical environment. Broader perspectives include social, economic and political elements which are best considered pragmaticaily as a part of the context of fisheries management.Objectives in marine ecosystem management are varied. From a biological perspective, an underlying principle of management is commonly assumed to be a sustained yield of products for human consumption. Whether that should be taken to mean that the yield . should always be of the same products is less certain. Fishing commonly changes the relative abundance of species of fishes. Thus, a biological objective should specify the species mix that is desired. Concern for the maintenance of global diversity has generated a substantial literature on threatened and endangered species. In general, it has not been considered likely that marine fish species could be rendered extinct and greatest attention has been given to marine mammals, sea birds and sea turtles. The provision of marine parks and sanctuary areas are obvious first steps in providing a measure of protection, at least for the less widely ranging species.Related to the current concepts of ecosystem management are expressions such as 0960-:I66 Q 1996 Chapman & Hall 140h-kin ecosystem health and ecosystem integrity which are given a wide range of different meanings, none of which are readily translated into operationa language for resource management. These and similar expressions are best assessed as rhetorical devices. The essential components of ecosystem management are sustainable yield, maintenance of...

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“…The functional and historical approaches are particularly focussed on transformations with different perspectives: time concurrency (synchronic perspective) and time sequence (diachronic perspective). The systemic approach supports a view of dynamic interdependency between characteristics, relationships and transformations (Kay and Schneider 1994).…”

Section: Conceptualising Reality: Nominal Vs Verbal Languagementioning

confidence: 99%

Science education for sustainability, epistemological reflections and educational practices: from natural sciences to trans-disciplinarity

Colucci‐Gray

Perazzone

Dodman

et al. 2012

Cult Stud of Sci Educ

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In this three-part article we seek to establish connections between the emerging framework of ‗sustainability science' and the methodological basis of research and practice in science education in order to bring forth knowledge and competences for sustainability. The first and second part deal with the implications of taking a ‗sustainability view' in relation to knowledge processes. The complexity, uncertainty and urgency of global environmental problems challenge the foundations of reductionist, Western science. Within such debate, the proposal of sustainability science advocates for inter-disciplinary and inter-paradigmatic collaboration and it includes the requirements of ‗post-normal science' proposing a respectful dialogue between experts and non-experts in the construction of new scientific knowledge. Such a change of epistemology is rooted into participation, deliberation and the gathering of ‗extended-facts' where cultural framings and values are the hard components in the face of soft facts. A reflection on language and communication processes is thus the focus of knowledge practices and educational approaches aimed at sustainability. Language contains the roots of conceptual thinking (including scientific knowledge) and each culture and society are defined and limited by the language that is used to describe the world and to act upon people and nature. Within a scenario of sustainability, a discussion of scientific language is in order to retrace the connections between language and culture, and to promote a holistic view based on pluralism and dialogue. Drawing on the linguistic reflection, the third part gives examples of teaching and learning situations involving prospective science teachers in action-research contexts: these activities are set out to promote linguistic integration and to introduce reflexive process into science learning. Discussion will focus on the methodological features of a learning process that is akin to a communal and emancipatory research process within a sustainability scenario. *Corresponding author KeywordsSustainability -post normal science -language -action research -initial teacher education Manuscript Click here to download Manuscript: Science education for sustainability_revised_6 sept 2011.doc Click here to view linked References 2 Executive summary (in Italian language)In questo articolo ci proponiamo di evidenziare alcuni collegamenti tra la prospettiva emergente della ‗scienza della sostenibilità' e certi elementi di riflessione critica sui fondamenti epistemologici e metodologici dell'educazione scientifica, proponendo esempi di attività didattiche sperimentate in coerenza con queste riflessioni.Di fronte alla complessità, all'incertezza e all'urgenza delle problematiche ambientali -che hanno ormai assunto una dimensione globale -la moderna tecnoscienza è oggetto di un approfondito dibattito, e da più parti vengono posti degli interrogativi sulle sue basi epistemologiche e sulle sue relazioni e responsabilità con la società e con i sistemi naturali. Al...

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Embracing Complexity the Challenge of the Ecosystem Approach

Cited by 79 publications

References 11 publications

Seeking a unified urban systems theory

Seeking a unified urban systems theory

Concepts and issues in marine ecosystem management

Science education for sustainability, epistemological reflections and educational practices: from natural sciences to trans-disciplinarity

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