Solving Problems in Social–Ecological Systems: Definition, Practice and Barriers of Transdisciplinary Research

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Abstract

Translating policies about sustainable development as a social process and sustainability outcomes into the real world of social–ecological systems involves several challenges. Hence, research policies advocate improved innovative problem-solving capacity. One approach is transdisciplinary research that integrates research disciplines, as well as researchers and practitioners. Drawing upon 14 experiences of problem-solving, we used group modeling to map perceived barriers and bridges for researchers’ and practitioners’ joint knowledge production and learning towards transdisciplinary research. The analysis indicated that the transdisciplinary research process is influenced by (1) the amount of traditional disciplinary formal and informal control, (2) adaptation of project applications to fill the transdisciplinary research agenda, (3) stakeholder participation, and (4) functional team building/development based on self-reflection and experienced leadership. Focusing on implementation of green infrastructure policy as a common denominator for the delivery of ecosystem services and human well-being, we discuss how to diagnose social–ecological systems, and use knowledge production and collaborative learning as treatments.

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Most cited references 83

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A major problem worldwide is the potential loss of fisheries, forests, and water resources. Understanding of the processes that lead to improvements in or deterioration of natural resources is limited, because scientific disciplines use different concepts and languages to describe and explain complex social-ecological systems (SESs). Without a common framework to organize findings, isolated knowledge does not cumulate. Until recently, accepted theory has assumed that resource users will never self-organize to maintain their resources and that governments must impose solutions. Research in multiple disciplines, however, has found that some government policies accelerate resource destruction, whereas some resource users have invested their time and energy to achieve sustainability. A general framework is used to identify 10 subsystem variables that affect the likelihood of self-organization in efforts to achieve a sustainable SES.

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Author and article information

Contributors

: per.angelstam@slu.se,

Bio :

Per Angelstam

is professor in forest and natural resource management. He is interested in development and sustainability, and focuses on empirical studies of social–ecological systems with different landscape histories and governance systems.

: kjell.andersson@slu.se,

Bio :

Kjell Andersson

is a forester has a PhD. His research interests include Geographic Information Systems to model and present landscape data in order to extract decision-support information to planners and stakeholders.

: matilda.annerstedt@slu.se,

Bio :

Matilda Annerstedt

is a physician with experience from general practice and radiology. She has a PhD in landscape planning with focus on public health and is currently doing research about what mechanisms explain the association between natural landscapes and health.

: robert.axelsson@slu.se,

Bio :

Robert Axelsson

is a researcher with a PhD in forest management. He is interested in research that supports the collaborative social learning process of sustainable development. His aim is to learn how to facilitate transdisciplinary research.

: marine.elbakidze@slu.se,

Bio :

Marine Elbakidze

is associate professor in geography. Her research interests include landscape ecology, forest management, landscape governance and integrated spatial planning for sustainable development and sustainability.

: pablo.garrido@slu.se,

Bio :

Pablo Garrido

is a postgraduate student. His research interests include animal ecology, landscape ecology and forest management.

: patrik.grahn@slu.se,

Bio :

Patrik Grahn

is a Professor in landscape architecture with aim and direction in environmental psychology. His research focuses on associations between people’s health and well-being, and the content and design of green outdoor environments.

: ingemar.jonsson@hkr.se,

Bio :

K. Ingemar Jönsson

is Associate Professor in Theoretical and Evolutionary Ecology. His current research interests include human behavioral ecology, evolutionary psychology and sustainable behavior.

: simen.pedersen@hihm.no,

Bio :

Simen Pedersen

is a joint post doc at Hedmark University College, Norway and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Sweden. His research interests include animal ecology, especially ecosystem effects of large herbivores, as well as ecotoxicology and human – large carnivore conflicts.

: peter.schlyter@natgeo.su.se,

Bio :

Peter Schlyter

is a researcher with a Ph.D. (in Physical Geography) and Lic. Eng (in Environmental and Energy Systems Analysis) with a research interests in sustainability science and environmental governance, in particular from a systems perspective.

: erik.skarback@slu.se,

Bio :

Erik Skärbäck

is professor in landscape planning. His interest as researcher is to apply evidence about green infrastructure’s impact on human health and well-being by developing models for comprehensive and detailed planning, and governance.

: Mike.Smith@forestry.gsi.gov.uk,

Bio :

Mike Smith

is a landscape ecologist with expertise in developing applications that can integrate biophysical and social data to support the planning and delivery of forest landscape restoration, green infrastructure including the ecosystem services they provide.

: ingrid.stjernquist@natgeo.su.se,

Bio :

Ingrid Stjernquist

is a researcher with a Ph.D. (plant ecology) with a research interests in sustainable forest management and environmental governance, in particular from a systems perspective.

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Ambio

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Ambio

Title: Ambio

Publisher: Springer Netherlands (Dordrecht )

ISSN (Print): 0044-7447

ISSN (Electronic): 1654-7209

Publication date (Electronic): 10 March 2013

Publication date PMC-release: 10 March 2013

Publication date (Print): March 2013

Volume: 42

Issue: 2

Pages: 254-265

Affiliations

[ ]Faculty of Forest Sciences, School for Forest Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 43, 730 91 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden

[ ]Department of Work Science, Business Economics & Environmental Psychology, Faculty of Landscape Planning, Horticulture and Agricultural Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Box 88, 230 53 Alnarp, Sweden

[ ]Faculty of Forest Sciences, School for Forest Management, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, PO Box 43, 739 21 Skinnskatteberg, Sweden

[ ]School of Education and Environment, Kristianstad University, 291 88 Kristianstad, Sweden

[ ]Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Applied Ecology and Agricultural Sciences, Hedmark University College, 2480 Evenstad, Norway

[ ]Environmental and Resource, Dynamics Group, Department of Physical Geography and Quaternary Geology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden

[ ]Forest Research, Northern Research Station, Centre for Human and Ecological Sciences, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY UK

Article

Publisher ID: 372

DOI: 10.1007/s13280-012-0372-4

PMC ID: 3593036

PubMed ID: 23475660

SO-VID: 1dd02c02-f04d-4b01-a262-db69b12f14aa

License:

Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits any use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author(s) and the source are credited.

History

Custom metadata

ScienceOpen disciplines: Sociology

Keywords: research policy,sustainable development,sustainability,knowledge production,learning,green infrastructure

Data availability:

ScienceOpen disciplines: Sociology

Keywords: research policy, sustainable development, sustainability, knowledge production, learning, green infrastructure

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