Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research in Practice: Lessons from Inter- and Transdisciplinary Research in the Austrian Eisenwurzen

Abstract

Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) is an inter-and transdisciplinary research field addressing socio-ecological change over time at various spatial and temporal scales. In the Austrian Eisenwurzen region, an LTSER platform was founded in 2004. It has fostered and documented research projects aiming at advancing LTSER scientifically and at providing regional stakeholders with relevant information for sustainable regional development. Since its establishment, a broad range of research activities has been pursued in the region, integrating information from long-term ecological monitoring sites with approaches from social sciences and the humanities, and in cooperation with regional stakeholders. Based on the experiences gained in the Eisenwurzen LTSER platform, this article presents current activities in the heterogeneous field of LTSER, identifying specific (inter-)disciplinary contributions of three research strands of LTSER: long-term ecological research, socio-ecological basic research, and transdisciplinary research. Given the broad array of diverse contributions to LTSER, we argue that the platform has become a relevant "boundary organization," linking research to its regional non-academic context, and ensuring interdisciplinary exchange among the variety of disciplines. We consider the diversity of LTSER approaches an important resource for future research. Major success criteria of LTSER face specific challenges: (1) existing loose, yet stable networks need to be maintained and extended; (2) continuous generation of and access to relevant data needs to be secured and more data need to be included; and

The Social Metabolism of Quiet Sustainability in the Faroe Islands

“…In order to illuminate the distinctions between industrial social metabolism and the social metabolism of quiet sustainability, the analysis draws on theoretical discussions on socio-metabolic constellations/configurations, and the implications for long-term sustainability. Additionally, the analysis draws on theoretical insights from long-term socio-ecological research, environmental history, and historical political ecology, such as the concept of landesque capital [24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31], in order to investigate how different socio-metabolic configurations produce distinct forms of capital stocks, and the role of these capital stocks in resource flow path dependencies [32][33][34]. One key insight gained from this body of research and literature is that humans can organize society and social metabolism in ways that contribute to both sustainability and equality.…”

What is socio-ecological research delivering? A literature survey across 25 international LTSER platforms

“…To date, there have been few qualitative evaluations or self-evaluations of LTSER platforms (e.g. Gingrich et al, 2016;Mauz et al, 2012) and a limited number of studies that focus on developing integrated methods for evaluating socioecological research (e.g. Angelstam et al, 2013;Walter et al, 2007).…”

LTSER platforms as a place-based transdisciplinary research infrastructure: learning landscape approach through evaluation

“…To enhance regionally adapted implementation of policies aimed at sustainable development and sustainability in local social-ecological systems, a wide range of landscape approach concepts aimed towards place-based knowledge production and engaged stakeholder collaboration have emerged (Axelsson et al 2011(Axelsson et al , 2013. One such concept is the Long-Term Socio-Ecological Research (LTSER) platform (e.g., Haberl et al 2006;Mirtl et al 2008Mirtl et al , 2013Anon 2009;Grove et al 2013;Singh et al 2013;Gingrich et al 2016;Bretagnolle et al 2018). Currently there are * 80 LTSER platform initiatives globally (Mirtl et al 2018).…”