Linking Social and Ecological Systems

Management Practices and Social Mechanisms for Building Resilience

Carl Folke editor Fikret Berkes editor

Format:Hardback

Publisher:Cambridge University Press

Published:26th Feb '98

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Linking Social and Ecological Systems cover

Investigates how management systems and their dynamics can improve stewardship of selected ecosystems.

In this volume social and ecological systems are analysed, addressing problems that do not fit neatly into single disciplines such as ecology, anthropology, economics or political science. The aim is to investigate how the stewardship of selected ecosystems can be improved by learning from management systems and their dynamics.It is usually the case that scientists examine either ecological systems or social systems, yet the need for an interdisciplinary approach to the problems of environmental management and sustainable development is becoming increasingly obvious. Developed under the auspices of the Beijer Institute in Stockholm, this new book analyses social and ecological linkages in selected ecosystems using an international and interdisciplinary case study approach. The chapters provide detailed information on a variety of management practices for dealing with environmental change. Taken as a whole, the book will contribute to the greater understanding of essential social responses to changes in ecosystems, including the generation, accumulation and transmission of ecological knowledge, structure and dynamics of institutions, and the cultural values underlying these responses. A set of new (or rediscovered) principles for sustainable ecosystem management is also presented. Linking Social and Ecological Systems will be of value to natural and social scientists interested in sustainability.

'This is a scholarly work, with an international focus, providing detailed ethnography and analysis of local and regional resource management systems. It should prove useful to ecologists, some anthropologists, cultural geographers and ecological economists … The systems-based, interdisciplinary, non-reductionist spirit that permeates this book represents a significant contribution to the understanding of human/nature relations.' Michael Redclift, The Times Higher Education Supplement
'Fikret Berkes and Carl Folke brought together a remarkable group of people and organized their scholarly work to produce a splendid volume that marries the best research on social and ecological systems that exists today.' Ecological Economics
'These volumes offer the basis of a synthetic view of environment and human decision-making. Such work is of the highest importance, both as a basis for policy and for its inherent intellectual challenge.' W. M. Adams, TREE
'Berkes and Folke have produced a high quality publication which contributes to the laying of foundations for more harmonious socio-environmental relations in the future' Journal of Applied Ecology
'...an unusually coherent edited collection, which develops an unambiguous and compelling argument for adopting a rigorous interdisciplinary appraoch to natural resource management.' Journal of Applied Ecology
'A welcome contribution to the debate on the sustainable use of natural resources.' Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institution

ISBN: 9780521591409

Dimensions: 236mm x 160mm x 36mm

Weight: 885g

476 pages